High Court releases businessman charged with touting

Minister Marco Aurélio, from the Federal Supreme Court (“STF”) granted release to Match Director Raymond Whelan today (Aug 5). The British businessman had been accused of heading a ticket scalping scheme during the World Cup, which took place from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil. Whelan has been arrested since last month at a penitentiary complex in Rio de Janeiro.

In the minister’s view, the indictment brought against Whelan—who had FIFA’s permission to sell tickets—does not by itself justify his preventive detention. In compliance with the court ruling, the executive will be released, but should remain in Rio to answer the charges.

Apart from the Match director, the court in Rio ruled, on July 10, the arrest of ten other people which reportedly took part in the scheme. According to the Public Prosecution Office—the organization who filed the report—the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, scalping, active corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira