FIFA: "During his (Havelange) 24 years as FIFA President football became truly global"(G. Infantino)

"During his 24 years as FIFA President football became truly global, reaching new territories and bringing the game to all corners of the world. Something the whole football community should be grateful for. I extend my condolences to his family," said Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, on 16/08/2016. The Brazilian Joao Havelange, who passed away aged 100, was FIFA president from 1974 to 1998, and died in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) on 16/08/2016.

He was FIFA president for 24 years which is the second longest tenure as head of the international federation behind the Frenchman Jules Rimet who was head of the organisation for 33 years, from 1921 to 1954. He is the only non-European leader to have been FIFA president.

"Voted on to the International Olympic Committee in 1963, Havelange was elected President of FIFA on 11 June 1974. During his six terms in office a total of 50 new associations joined the governing body of world football. It was also during his presidency that FIFA organised the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991 and the first Futsal, Men’s U-20 and Men’s U-17 World Cups…