PAT HICKEY, the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland, has reportedly been arrested in Rio de Janeiro this morning, according to local media.

Mr Hickey was arrested this morning in Rio at the IOC hotel , according to a respected Brazilian journalist, Jamil Chade.

It is believed that he is under investigation for his involvement in the irregular sale of Olympic tickets. The controversy broke almost 10 days ago when another Irishman, Kevin Mallon of the THG group, was arrested in possession of almost 800 tickets.

Mr Hickey has been taken to hospital after feeling sick at the time he got arrested it has been reported.

‘We are aware of the reports but at this stage we are still trying to get some clarity on the situation. It is still early morning here so we are trying to gather information and when we do that we will release a statement through our normal channels.”

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