Rio ticket firm says no breach occurred

Three investigations are under way following allegations that millions of euros worth of Olympic event tickets meant for distribution by the Olympic Council of Ireland were found in the possession of an Irishman with no authority to sell them.

Kevin Mallon was arrested by Rio police last Friday, along with a female translator, on charges of ticket touting, false marketing, and associating with criminals.

The 36-year-old from Drimnagh in Dublin works for the Irish operation of THG Sports, an international company specialising in corporate hospitality at sports events and ticket management on behalf of sporting bodies.

The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) used THG to handle sales of Ireland’s official ticket allocation for the London 2012 Olympics and the 2014 Winter Olympics but is using a newly-formed company, Pro10, for Rio.

In a statement, the OCI said it had no knowledge of Mr Mallon or his translator — named by Rio police as Barbara Camieri.

“The OCI has launched an immediate investigation with our authorised ticket reseller, Pro10, into how the individuals were allegedly in possession of OCI allocated tickets,” the statement said.

“The OCI strictly adheres to the IOC regulations around ticket allocation, sale and resale. We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.”

Pro10, which is based in Lucan, Dublin, did not take calls but released a statement saying: “As the authorised ticket reseller for the OCI, Pro 10 Sports Management have been made aware of the ticketing situation in Rio.

“Pro 10 Sports Management have at all times strictly complied with all regulations around ticket sales and resale. Pro 10 will now wait to receive more information on the specific nature of the investigations in Rio before commenting further.”

A statement attributed THG Sports, which is owned by the Marcus Evans Group, said the company is investigating the allegations but refuted any allegation of wrongdoing by him or THG Sports and said it would be vigorously defending him. However, the company would neither verify the authenticity of the statement, nor explain what Mr Mallon was doing in Rio.

Mr Mallon is listed as a director and secretary of both Irish-registered companies, THG Hospitality and Marcus Evans Group Services (Europe). Both were operating at a loss according to their last annual returns. Their 2015 returns were due to be filed with the companies office earlier this summer and are overdue.

THG lists the Football Association of Ireland as one of its partners but an FAI spokesman said while the company’s services were used up to last year, they are not currently using them.

Junior sorts minister Patrick O’Donovan, who is in Rio for the game,s said he hopes all the organisations involved in the handling of the tickets will co-operate fully with the Brazilian investigation.