Pat Hickey claims he is innocent of all charges laid against him by a Brazilian court, and will fight each and will vigorously defend his good name.

He made the assertion in a statement issued this evening.

A judge in Brazil formally accepted the charges, relating to alleged ticket touting at the Rio Olympic Games, against Pat Hickey last Friday.

In the statement, Mr Hickey said that he believes in the Brazilian judicial system and is confident of being discharged of all accusations.

Mr Hickey says this has been a “life changing” experience for him and his family.

He also that, contrary to media reports, he is not under house arrest in Brazil.

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.