1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

World Cup ticket boss surrenders

July 14, 2014

A World Cup ticketing executive accused of ticket fraud has turned himself in after going missing during a police investigation. Ray Whelan faces a string of allegations over illegal price mark-ups.

https://p.dw.com/p/1CcuQ
Rio de Janeiro's Policemen arrest Ray Whelan (L), chief executive of a Swiss hospitality and ticketing company 'Match Hospitality' in connection with an ongoing investigation called 'Operation Jules Rimet' over VIP ticket scalping at the World Cup at Copacabana Palace hotel, venue of FIFA durig the World Cup, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 07 July 2014. EPA/Ramires Ferreira
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Whelan surrendered on Monday to a Rio de Janeiro court where he was last week bailed over his alleged involvement in a ticket "scalping" or "touting" network.

The 64-year-old Briton, a director of FIFA partner Match Services, had left his hotel in Rio last Thursday after police had obtained a fresh warrant for his arrest following his detention earlier in the week.

Despite Whelan having been bailed, a judge had made an order for him to be rearrested along with 10 other suspects accused of a multi-million dollar fraud. Offences allegedly involved the illegal reselling at inflated prices of some 1,000 tickets per match of the World Cup finals.

Whelan's organization had been granted exclusive rights to sell high-end, luxury tickets, principally to corporate clients. Match Services had paid $240 million (176 million euros) for exclusive rights to provide such packages during the 2010 and 2014 football World Cups.

In all, 12 people now face accusations including criminal organization, bribery, money-laundering and tax evasion in connection with the affair.

rc/bk (AFP, AP, Reuters)