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Delaney, who is head of the Football Association of Ireland
(FAI), said last month that he had no role or involvement in the
OCI's handling of ticketing arrangements and would consider his
position as the FAI's member of the OCI Executive Committee.
"Having given the matter careful consideration, I have made the
decision to step down with immediate effect," Delaney said in a
statement on the FAI's website (www.fai.ie).
"I am fully confident that in due course my position and
non-involvement in these matters will be clarified and
independently verified."
The OCI and Irish government launched separate independent
probes into the circumstances surrounding the distribution of
tickets at the 2016 Games and Delaney said he has fully engaged
and co-operated with both investigations.
Acting OCI president, Willie O’Brien, said in a statement that
he accepted with regret Delaney's resignation.
Hickey, who was arrested in August at a luxury beachfront hotel
and spent time in a maximum security prison, temporarily stood
aside as head of the OCI and as Europe's top member of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) pending the outcome.
He has to remain in Brazil until further investigations into the
charges are completed. No date has been set for his hearing.
Delaney, whom Hickey had tipped to succeed him before the ticket
scandal plunged the OCI into crisis, said last month that Rio
police had not contacted him despite an order being issued for
the seizure of his passport.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
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