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Rio police want IOC head to explain Ireland’s games tickets

Mr Hickey stepped aside from his role as president of the OCI following his arrest in during the games in Rio last month.

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The police say Bach is being treated as a witness, not a suspect.

“It was active at other…”

Despite six years of preparation for the high-profile event at the Maracanã, the International Olympic Committee chief cancelled his trip to Brazil, choosing instead to attend a memorial for the former West German president Walter Scheel.

At today’s conference they presented emails which they allege further support their case that Pat Hickey was involved in ticket touting.

“If Bach were to return to Brazil we would certainly like to hear from him”, said inspector Ronaldo Oliveira.

Investigator Aloysio Falcao said they found a July 2015 text from Hickey to Bach requesting more tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as for football, basketball and 100-meter finals. “If we do not hear from him here in Brazil we can send a letter to request that he testify overseas”. It was unclear if he would attend other events at the Paralympics, which run until 18 September.

An OCI spokeswoman told the BBC the organisation was “aware of press reports” that Brazilian police were now seeking a warrant for Mr Burke’s arrest, but she said the OCI would not be making any comment on the matter.

Hickey is among 10 people charged by Brazilian prosecutors with ticket scalping.

Mallon was first arrested on August 5 at a hotel in Rio de Janeiro, with 823 high-end tickets in his possession.

After a two-day stay in a local hospital to undergo tests, he was held in a high-security prison complex.

His passport was confiscated, and he must remain in Brazil until the case is concluded.

Earlier the public prosecutor responsible for the case said Mr Hickey and Mr Mallon, the Dublin-based Finance Director with global sports hospitality company THG Sports, could face between eight and ten years in prison if convicted.

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Police investigators said the scheme was planned to bring in US$3 million (NZ$4.06m).

Olympic Council of Ireland president Patrick Hickey and nine others have been charged with ticket scalping conspiracy and ambush marketing