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Former FIFA president Joao Havelange hospitalized in Rio

Xinhua, November 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

99-year-old former FIFA president Joao Havelange was being treated at a Rio de Janeiro's hospital with lung problems.

His condition is "stable," Rio's Samaritano hospital said in a brief statement on Friday. Havelange was also hospitalized for the same problem last year.

Havelange led FIFA for 24 years between 1974 and 1988 before being succeeded by Sepp Blatter. Meanwhile he also served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1963 to 2011.

However the Brazilian figure has been embroiled in controversy in recent years. He resigned from the IOC in 2011, citing unspecified health problems. By stepping down he avoided a possible suspension for allegedly taking kickbacks from former FIFA marketing partner ISL. He became the longest-serving active member upon his resignation.

After his IOC resignation, he was also forced to resign as FIFA's honorary president, a title he received when leaving FIFA office. Endit