THE OLYMPIC COUNCIL of Ireland (OCI) has revealed that a review into the ticketing scandal at this summer’s Rio Olympics has been put on hold.
Grant Thornton was tasked with conducting an independent report into alleged illegal ticket touting during the Games, which saw former OCI president Pat Hickey, who denies any wrongdoing, arrested in Brazil.
It was expected to be handed directly to Judge Carroll Moran by 15 November for him to consider as part of his non-statutory inquiry.
However, the decision to delay completion of the review until after Hickey’s criminal proceedings have been completed was taken at an OCI Executive Committee this evening.
“The Grant Thornton review into ticketing arrangements in Rio will be postponed and completed only following the conclusion of criminal proceedings against Mr Pat Hickey in Rio,” reads an OCI statement released tonight.
This decision was taken following the receipt of a letter from Mr Hickey’s lawyers this week in which he threatened to make an application to the High Court for an injunction preventing the completion of the review.
“The Executive Committee has decided not to incur the very significant additional cost of defending any such legal proceedings.
“The Executive Committee restated its commitment to continuing full cooperation with the Moran non statutory State inquiry.”
The statement adds that a new OCI Executive Committee will be elected at an EGM in January, while the report carried out by Deloitte on corporate governance arrangements at the council will be issued to member federations next week.
Last week, FAI chief executive John Delaney stepped down from his role as OCI vice-president.
Comments are closed as an investigation is ongoing.
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