In a statement yesterday evening, Patrick Hickey said he had just received formal notification from the Brazilian authorities of the charges laid against him:

“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, this 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.”