Indicted FIFA partner surrenders to Brazil judge

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 15 (UPI) -- Ray Whelan, a senior director of FIFA partner Match Hospitality who was indicted on July 10 for illegal World Cup sales, has surrendered to a judge in Brazil.

Police attempted to arrest Whelan following his July 10 indictment but could not locate him at his hotel in Rio de Janeiro. At the time, the police described him as a "fugitive," a classification his employer refuted.

Match Hospitality issued a statement that Whelan never fled police and, according to their understanding of the case, he was not restricted in his movements while in Brazil. Whelan had departed the hotel, Match said, with his attorney.

A spokesman for Whelan's attorney, Fernando Fernandes, relayed that upon turning himself him, Whelan said, "I can finally start my criminal defense."

A judge indicted Whelan and 11 others in connection with an investigation into illegal World Cup ticket sales.