When Havelange became President of FIFAin 1974 it was seen as nearly revolutionary.
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Havelange had been hospitalized in July with pneumonia. “Flags will be lowered to half-mast at all Olympic stadiums”, Andrada told reporters. FIFA had always been a primarily European nexus of power, and football authorities elsewhere in the world were expected to take their cues from their European betters.
He represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympics and water polo at the 1952 Helsinki Games. It is now known as the Estádio Olímpico Joao Havelange. Havelange was in power during what is referred to as a “Golden Age” of Brazilian Soccer, featuring famous soccer star Pele.
While FIFA president, Havelange expanded the World Cup finals, growing the field of teams from 16 to 32 and helping to make it the largest sporting event in the world. The man who changed the face of football for ever, saved it from ignominy and transformed it into the handsome game is no more.
Despite allegations of impropriety staining his legacy, ex-FIFA chief Joao Havelange should be fondly remembered according to Jack Warner.
The increased revenue for global football allowed for the modernization and expansion of the game.
He also oversaw FIFA’s inauguration of the Under-17 World Cup, the World Youth Cup, the Women’s World Cup, the Indoor World Cup and also introduced the Confederations’ Cup, played between continental champions.
Amid swirling allegations of corruption, Havelange resigned from the International Olympic Committee in December 2011.
However, as more money flowed into the game, allegations emerged of widespread financial corruption by its top officials, including Havelange. The report of ethics committee chair Hans-Joachim Eckert labeled the Federation Internationale de Football Association president as “clumsy” for not being aware of the illegal payments.
The FIFA scandal was not the first time Havelange made headlines for corruption.
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He also resigned from the International Olympic Committee in December 2011 after 48 years on similar grounds.
