Disgraced ex-OCI boss Pat Hickey has this evening released a statement in which he claims to be innocent of all charges.
Both himself and THG boss Kevin Mallon remain in Brazil, accused of a series of charges including larceny, false marketing, and others.
The statement in full reads:
I have just received formal notification from the Brazilian authorities of the charges laid against me.
For clarity, I am not under house arrest as, like with so many things with this case, has been misreported by the media.
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.
I believe in the Brazilian judicial system and I am confident that I will be discharged of all accusations.
This has been a life changing experience for me, my wife, my 4 children and my 5 grandchildren and my priority is to recover my health and see my family as soon as possible.
I have been very heartened and humbled by the outpouring of support, letters, texts and emails from the thousands of people in Ireland and from the international sporting world.
I will be making no further comment until the case has been concluded.
Mr. Hickey will stand trial in Brazil at some point over the next few months.
