The Malta Olympic Committee said at no stage did its officials request any payments, mark-ups or percentages for the 2012 London Olympics.

Neither did MOC officials intend to buy tickets in order to sell them personally.

The MOC was reacting to reports in a British newspaper, also covered by The Times, which alleged the selling of tickets to third parties for resale on the black market by certain national Olympic committees.

Following a two-month undercover investigation, The Sunday Times of London alleged widespread corruption among officials and agents in 54 countries.

In a statement, to explain contacts made in connection with the sale of tickets, the MOC said that it was an authorised and internationally recognised agent who could sell tickets according to a contract approved by the International Olympic Committee and the London Olympics organising committee.

In regard to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the MOC said its officials met various companies and individuals with the aim of appointing authorised tickets resellers in conformity with inter­national regulations.

The MOC said that among those with whom its officials met were two who had wished to be appointed agents for Sochi 2014 and also wished to obtain tickets for the London 2012 Olympics.

These two people, the MOC added, asked for London 2012 tickets but were told by the Maltese officials that the MOC never had any tickets for sale but, if it was possible that agents were found who had tickets, they would be duly informed.

It results that these two persons did not intend to be ticket resellers but had deceitful intentions to trap people.

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