Hickey to fight all ticket rort charges

Former European Olympic Committee head Patrick Hickey will fight "each and every" charge that he took part in a ring to illegally sell Rio Games tickets.

Hickey, who was also head of the Olympic Council of Ireland, was released from Rio's Bangu 10 maximum security prison last month but must remain in Brazil until the case is heard.

"For clarity, I am not under house arrest as, like with so many things with this case, has been misreported by the media," he said in a statement published by the Irishman on Monday.

"I intend to face all the charges and to fight each and every one of them.

"I am completely innocent of all such charges and I will also vigorously defend my good name and character that I have spent my lifetime building through voluntary service for numerous sporting bodies."

Hickey was arrested on August 10 at a luxury beachfront hotel during the Games. His arrest was in connection with an investigation into an illegal ticket-scalping ring.

Police accuse him of operating the ring with Dublin-based PRO10 Sports Management to funnel tickets intended for use by the Irish committee, and not authorised for resale, to international sports hospitality company THG Sports.

All involved deny wrongdoing.