Rio ticketing scandal: First report due

The first of three high-profile reports into the Olympic Council of Ireland’s Rio ticketing scandal is set to be examined by the group’s executive board today amid growing speculation it will seek sweeping reforms.
Rio ticketing scandal: First report due

The independent report by Deloitte into the organisation’s corporate governance and transparency structures has been concluded. In the aftermath of the alleged Rio ticketing scandal in August, which has seen Pat Hickey temporarily step aside as president as he awaits a court date in Brazil, the OCI launched two investigations.

The first of was to be conducted by Deloitte and examine the corporate governance structures in the sporting body, with the second by Grant Thornton accountants to focus on the exact issues surrounding the Rio ticketing affair.

In addition, the Government set up a third judge-led non-statutory state inquiry into the same issue and potential other issues in previous Olympics. That inquiry was called for by Independent Alliance TD and Transport Minister Shane Ross.

The Grant Thornton report is expected to be published next month. Government sources confirmed they are expecting the judge leading the state inquiry, Carroll Moran, to seek more time in the coming weeks to complete his work. An OCI spokesperson confirmed last night the Deloitte report is now complete.

The document, which was initially due to be provided to the OCI at the start of this month, was specifically tasked with reviewing the OCI’s constitution and governance arrangements and potentially changing aspects if they fail to meet transparency and governance standards apparent in comparative bodies.

Olympic tickets
Olympic tickets

While the findings of the Deloitte report will not be formally published before they are examined by the sporting body’s executive board today, it is widely expected they will include a series of sweeping reforms to the OCI’s system.

News of the imminent Deloitte report findings emerged after Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney resigned from his voluntary post as vice-president of the OCI. In a statement via email to acting OCI president Willie O’Brien on Tuesday night, Mr Delaney said he was leaving the position.

The 49-year-old has been involved with the OCI since 2005 and up until as late as August, had been tipped to eventually take over as president of the organisation.

“My Role as CEO of the FAI is my primary role and priority,” a separate statement on Tuesday explaining his OCI departure read. “I have fully engaged and co-operated with investigations being carried out by Grant Thornton who were appointed to review ticketing arrangements and Deloitte.”

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