Briton released after World Cup ticket-scalping charges dropped because of police error

A Rio de Janeiro court has ruled there is insufficient evidence to prosecute a British man arrested on suspicion of ticket scalping at last year's World Cup in Brazil.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the court said Raymond Whelan was free, and said police erred in collecting evidence, and worked "in haste."

The court said it was continuing with cases against 11 others facing similar charges.

Whelan is a director at Match Services, the hospitality and ticketing partner of FIFA.

FIFA warned repeatedly about the illegal sale of tickets at the World Cup, and then was embarrassed when one of its associates was detained on suspicion of doing just that.