Moment Irish Olympic chief Pat Hickey is arrested after ‘trying to flee police’ over allegations he touted Rio 2016 tickets

IRISH Olympic chief Patrick Hickey has been arrested on suspicion of touting tickets to Rio 2016.

The 71-year-old head of the European Olympic Committee was taken into custody earlier today by Brazilian police.

He is suspected of flogging tickets to the showpiece event at extortionate prices.

Hickey was rushed to hospital after being taken ill when he was arrested.

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Footage of the arrest showed the moment the former international judoka was marched by police from his hotel room still wearing his dressing gown.

Hickey had first tried to flee into his son's room next door when cops arrived.

But they located him after finding his papers in the room where his wife was staying.

She earlier told police that her husband had already returned to Ireland, it was confirmed.

The Irish foreign office said: "We are aware of an Irish citizen having been arrested in Rio.

"The department, through its consulate in Rio, is following up and stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance."

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His arrest is linked to an investigation and arrest of his fellow Irishman Kevin James Mallon last week.

Police suspect he had been flogging around 800 tickets for up to £6,000 each.

The Irish Olympic committee confirmed: "We are aware of the media stories regarding Pat Hickey and we are seeking total clarity on the situation before we comment further."

Irish sports minister Shane Ross simply tweeted: "Shell shock here in Rio."

Northern Irish golf superstar Rory McIlroy posted "#karma" following the arrest but deleted the message just seconds later.

McIlroy pulled out of the Olympics over Zika virus fears.

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That came after an agonising decision over whether to compete for Britain or Ireland - in the end he chose the latter.

Prior to McIlroy's decision to pull out, Hickey blasted: "Before Rory decided whether he’d declare for Team GB or Ireland, we put our team gear out to contract.

"Just in case he declared for us, we went to Nike in the UK and told them we might have Rory.

"But they just dismissed us out of hand and now they regret it, I believe."

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