Ray Whelan (left) arrives at a police station in Rio de Janeiro.

Ray Whelan, the chief executive of a hospitality firm arrested in connection with an investigation into VIP ticket scalping at the World Cup, was released yesterday after spending the night in custody.

His company, MATCH, said the Englishman was released in Rio de Janeiro and that he will assist police with further enquiries.

“MATCH have faith that the facts will establish that he has not violated any laws,” it said in a statement, adding that Whelan would continue with his World Cup work.

“MATCH will continue to support all police investigations, which we believe will fully exonerate Ray.”

Whelan was arrested at Rio’s beachfront Copacabana Palace hotel as a result of Operation Jules Rimet in which 12 people have been arrested following investigations into the illegal resale of tickets for the tournament.

The investigation has further sullied the reputation of FIFA, which was already facing allegations of bribery surrounding Qatar‘s successful bid to host the 2022 WCup.

Rio de Janeiro police said that Whelan will be expected to appear for further questioning at a date to be arranged. He has been charged under the Brazilian Supporters’ Statute with “supplying or facilitating the distribution of tickets for a price that is superior to the one printed on the ticket.”

MATCH is the main provider of hospitality packages for the World Cup and paid $240 million for the exclusive rights to sell corporate hospitality at the 2010 World Cup and this one.

It has a contract with FIFA until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

MATCH has been appointed by FIFA to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology at the World Cup.

“FIFA continues to fully co-operate with the local authorities and will provide any details requested to insist with this ongoing investigation,” FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said.

“FIFA wants to reiterate that our firm stands against any form of violation of criminal law and is fully supporting the security authorities in our joint efforts to clamp down on any unauthorised ticket sales.

Philippe Blatter, the nephew of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, is the president of Infront, a company which has a five per cent stake in MATCH Hospitality, one of the two arms of MATCH.