Michael Conlan has distanced himself from the athletic executive who imposed sanctions as part of the US Treasury’s crackdown on the Kinahan drug cartel.
The former Olympic bronze medalist said he had “no connection” with MTK Global and had not even heard of Hoopoe Sports, which was sanctioned by the US government on Tuesday.
This is despite the fact that the Belfast boxer is listed as a customer of Hoopoe Sports and MTK Global on his website.
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A boxing spokesperson said Conlan had not heard from Hoopoe Sports LLC until Tuesday before contacting organized crime group Kinahan during a briefing by Gardaí, Europol, the UK’s National Crime Agency and the UK government. US law enforcement. Officials.
Hoopoe Sports, a sports management company based in the United Arab Emirates, has imposed sanctions under a US government action, with the Treasury appointing Ian Thomas Dixon as the person who owns or controls the company.
Dixon, 32, is listed as one of seven people punished for “providing material assistance or acting on behalf of Daniel Joseph Kinahan.”
However, Michael Conlan’s spokesman insisted that he represents a new company that his brother James set up last year.
The spokesperson said: “Michael has nothing to do with MTK Global. He (sic) and Jamie founded their independent advertising and management company, Conlan Boxing, in July 2021, and Michael runs Jamie that way.
“Michael didn’t hear about Hoopoe Sports yesterday and has nothing to do with it.
“Michael did not know yesterday that he was on MTK or Hoopoe Sports and is taking the necessary steps to remove his involvement.”
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Source: Belfastlive
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