Breaking: Former FIFA President, Joao Havelange Is Dead

 

Joao Havelange.

Former President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Joao Havelange is dead.

Mr. Havelange who was the head of the international football’s governing body from 1974 to 1998, died at the age of 100 in his hometown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He became the FIFA President in 1974 after succeeding Stanley Rous as the head of international football’s governing body that same year.

After his emergence as the President, Havelange used his business acumen to bring international football into the modern commercial era where money began to pour in from corporate sponsorship and television rights.

As the FIFA President, he was accused of corruption after prosecutors claimed he took bribes totaling tens of millions of dollars over the course of his tenure at FIFA and also during his time as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Despite all this accusations, Havelange avoided an embezzlement conviction after a multi-million dollar settlement.

Before his death, Havelange was a law graduate and businessman, but also a talented sportsman who represented Brazil in both swimming and water polo.

Furthermore, Rio’s Engenhao stadium, a venue for many Olympic events currently taking place, was renamed after him.