World Cup tickets official arrested

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Brazilian police have arrested the chief executive of a Fifa partner company as part of investigations into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.

Ray Whelan from Match Hospitality was held at Rio de Janeiro’s hotel, where officials from the world’s football governing body were also staying.

Last week, police held 11 people and broke up an international gang.

They are accused of illegally reselling tickets, including some originally allocated to players.

Police say the gang earned as much as $90m (£52m) per tournament and could have operated at four World Cups.

The authorities believe some of the tickets were sold to foreign tourists.

Mr Whelan was arrested at the luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel on Monday.

(BBC)