THE PRESIDENT of the Olympic Council of Ireland Pat Hickey has been arrested in Rio.
Mr Hickey was arrested at a hotel in Barra da Tijuca, in the western region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian newspaper Estadao reported this morning.
It has also been reported that Mr Hickey was taken ill after the arrest and was taken to the Samaritano Hospital in the region.
Yesterday, Kevin Mallon, the Dublin finance director of sports hospitality group, THG, was refused bail in an afternoon hearing in Rio de Janeiro yesterday in relation to possession of false tickets, associating with criminals and touting.
A number of the tickets bore the Olympic Council of Ireland logo.
Arrest warrants were also issued for British millionaire and owner of Ipswich Town football club and THG Marcus Evans, 52, Irishman David Patrick Gilmore, 35, British man Martin Studd, 49, and Dutchman Maarten van Os, 45.
Police in Rio de Janeiro have announced they will hold a press conference at 1.30pm, GMT.
A statement from Olympic Council of Ireland said:
"The OCI is aware of the media stories regarding Pat Hickey and we are seeking total clarity on the situation before we comment further. Any updates will be made via the OCI website."
Journalist Jamil Chade, who works for Estadao first announced the news on Twitter:
Urgent: ioc member arrested in rio. Pat Hickey
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
IOC member Hickey being taken to hospital after feeling sick at the moment he got arrested
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
