Hickey refutes Romário claims

The president of the Olympic Committee of Ireland has refuted allegations by former Brazilian football great Romário that he had abused his position to ensure his son’s company got the contract to sell tickets for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Romário, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, is now a politician. He alleged on his personal website that Pat Hickey was abusing his post to ensure the contract for ticket sales for Ireland for the Games went to a subsidiary of a firm that employed his son, Stephan Hickey.

“Everyone knows of my concern to ensure all citizens access to the games of the World Cup and the Olympics. Therefore, some information concern me much,” he said. “It was reported in England that Mr Hickey granted the allocation of tickets for Ireland’s Olympic Games in London to a private company that, in turn, created ticket packages with lodging geared toward wealthier clientele.”