by Our Sports Desk

“FUGITIVE” World Cup ticketing boss Ray Whelan has handed himself into police in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brit, director of Fifa’s official ticket and hospitality partner Match Hospitality, surrendered to Judge Rosita Maria de Oliveira Netto and police then rearrested him, said a police statement.

Cops investigating a ticket touting ring declared him a “fugitive” after he exited his hotel room through a service door shortly before they arrived to arrest him.

Whelan was accompanied by his lawyer Fernando Fernandes, claiming he had been preparing documents for his defence, according to Brazilian media.

His company Match last week denied Whelan was “a fugitive” and said his arrest was illegal.

The statement said: “Match remains absolutely confident that any charges raised against Ray will be rebutted.”

Police have received recordings of mobile phone conversations between Whelan and an Algerian, Lamine Fofana, who is alleged to be the leader of the ticket touting ring, negotiating the sale of hospitality packages for 25,000 US dollars (£14,600) each in cash, totalling $600,000 (£351,000).

Match admitted that offering the packages for cash was “highly unusual” but that it was “permitted under the various terms and conditions.”

The company also said that Whelan was unaware that Match had put a block on Fofana buying any more packages or tickets.

Barucke said they had recorded 900 calls between Whelan and Fofana since the World Cup began.

Whelan was briefly arrested on July 7 but released after questioning.

According to a spokesman for lawyer Fernandes, Mr Whelan said: “I can finally start my criminal defence.”