Brazil Police has arrested the head of the European Olympic Committee over ticket sales

Brazil Police has arrested the head of the European Olympic Committees, Patrick Hickey, in Rio over illegal Olympic ticket sales. Hickey, 71, is suspected of illegally passing on tickets for the Games to be sold on at extortionate prices. Hickey, said to be unwell after his arrest, has not yet commented publicly. Police say, the suspect, who also heads the Olympic Council of Ireland, tried to



escape when they came for him. They say, he slid his Olympic pass under the door when police came knocking and fled into the adjacent hotel room.

After he was arrested he was taken ill and received medical attention, reports say. Brazilian media believe Mr Hickey's arrest is related to that of fellow Irishman Kevin James Mallon on the day of the Olympic opening ceremony.