João Havelange

João Havelange
NL-HaNA, ANEFO / neg. stroken, 1945-1989, 2.24.01.05, item number 928-0319 · CC BY-SA 3.0 nl · source
Name	João Havelange
Office	7th President of FIFA
Term start	1974
Term end	1998
Predecessor	Stanley Rous
Successor	Sepp Blatter

João Havelange was a Brazilian athlete, businessman, and sports administrator who served as the 7th President of FIFA, succeeding Stanley Rous and preceding Sepp Blatter. He was a key figure in the development of FIFA World Cup and played a crucial role in shaping the organization's policies and structure, working closely with UEFA and CONMEBOL. Havelange's presidency was marked by significant changes, including the introduction of the FIFA Women's World Cup and the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to include more teams from Africa, Asia, and North America. He worked with notable figures such as Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Franz Beckenbauer to promote the sport globally.

● Early Life and Career

João Havelange was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and began his athletic career as a swimmer and water polo player, competing in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He was a member of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and served as the president of the Brazilian Sports Confederation, working closely with International Olympic Committee members such as Avery Brundage and Juan Antonio Samaranch. Havelange's early career was also marked by his involvement in Brazilian football, where he worked with clubs like Flamengo and Botafogo, and organizations such as CBF and CONMEBOL. He was influenced by notable figures such as Getúlio Vargas and Juscelino Kubitschek, who played important roles in shaping Brazilian sports and Brazilian politics.

● Football Career

As a football player, Havelange represented Brazil in several international competitions, including the South American Championship, which is now known as the Copa América. He played alongside notable players such as Leônidas, Zizinho, and Ademir, and was part of the Brazilian national team that competed in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Havelange's football career was also marked by his involvement in club football, where he played for teams like Vasco da Gama and Botafogo, and worked with coaches such as Flávio Costa and Zezé Moreira. He was a contemporary of notable players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, and Just Fontaine, who were all influential figures in the development of international football.

● FIFA Presidency

Havelange's presidency of FIFA was marked by significant changes and developments, including the expansion of the FIFA World Cup from 16 to 32 teams, and the introduction of the FIFA Women's World Cup. He worked closely with UEFA and CONMEBOL to promote the sport in Europe and South America, and played a key role in the development of African football and Asian football. Havelange's presidency was also marked by controversies, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement, which were investigated by organizations such as the FIFA Ethics Committee and the International Olympic Committee. He worked with notable figures such as Horst Dassler, Adidas founder, and Sepp Blatter, his successor as FIFA President, to promote the sport and develop its commercial potential.

● Controversies and Legacy

Havelange's legacy is marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and bribery during his presidency of FIFA. He was accused of accepting bribes from companies such as ISL Marketing, and was implicated in several scandals, including the FIFA bribery scandal. Havelange's presidency was also marked by criticism of his management style and his handling of FIFA World Cup hosting rights, which were awarded to countries such as South Africa and Qatar. Despite these controversies, Havelange is also remembered for his contributions to the development of international football, including the expansion of the FIFA World Cup and the introduction of the FIFA Women's World Cup. He worked with notable figures such as Nelson Mandela and FIFA General Secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen to promote the sport and develop its social and cultural impact.

● Personal Life

Havelange was married to Anna Maria Havelange, and had two daughters, Nelita Havelange and Lucia Havelange. He was a member of the Brazilian elite and was known for his business acumen and his involvement in Brazilian politics. Havelange was a close friend and advisor to several Brazilian presidents, including Juscelino Kubitschek and João Figueiredo, and worked with notable figures such as Itamar Franco and Fernando Henrique Cardoso to promote Brazilian sports and Brazilian culture. He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee and worked with IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to develop the Olympic Movement.

● Later Life and Death

In his later life, Havelange continued to be involved in Brazilian football and international sports, serving as the honorary president of FIFA and working with organizations such as the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee. He died on August 16, 2016, at the age of 100, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was remembered for his contributions to the development of international football and his legacy as a sports administrator. Havelange's death was mourned by the football community, with tributes paid by notable figures such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, and CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. He is buried in the Cemitério de São João Batista in Rio de Janeiro, alongside other notable Brazilian sports figures such as Garrincha and Nílton Santos. Category:Brazilian sportspeople