Pat Hickey, the former head of the Olympic Council of Ireland, has vowed to clear his name over ticketing touting charges after returning home to Ireland.
Hickey had his passport returned earlier this month after spending four months in Brazil following his arrest during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August. He was allowed to leave the country after promising to return to face charges which include ticket touting, forming a criminal cartel, illicit marketing, embezzlement, tax evasion, and money laundering. Hickey and hospitality firm THG Sports’ Marcus Evans and Kevin Mallon were among nine charged.
The 71-year-old – who resigned as president of the OCI and as a vice-president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) – described recent months as "the most difficult time in my life".
“It has been an extremely traumatic few months for myself and my family. Once again I wish to state that I am totally innocent of all charges against me," Hickey said in a statement released to AFP.
"I intend to adhere to any requests made by the Brazilian authorities and I will do everything possible to clear my name so that I can, in due course, get on with my life with my wife and family.”
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