Former FIFA President Havelange Dies

Duro Ikhazuagbe in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil’s former FIFA President, Joao Havelange, has died at the age of 100 years.

Brazilian media yesterday quoted a Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro spokesperson, Andresa Feijo, to have confirmed the news of the death of the man who helped his country get the hosting of the Olympic Games.

Samaritano was where Havelange had been treated for pneumonia last month.

The influential Brazilian was president of the Brazilian Sports Confederation from 1956 to 1974, and head of world football governing body FIFA from 1974 to 1998. He helped Brazil win bids to host the 2014 World Cup.

Havelange is credited with helping transform football into a global success story, but his legacy has been tarnished by serious corruption allegations.

He resigned as honourary president of FIFA in 2013 after a report found he had taken bribes.