Rio de Janeiro, August 16 (QNA) - Joao Havelange, the Brazilian former president of FIFA, has died in hospital in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday aged 100, the hospital confirmed.
Havelange was the first non-European to lead the world football's governing body, serving as president between 1974 and 1998. During his 24-year stint, the Brazilian helped in expanding the World Cup from 16 to 32 teams.
A former Olympian swimmer and water polo player, Havelange represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympics and water polo at the 1952 Helsinki Games. He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for more than four decades.
He was succeeded as FIFA president by Swiss Sepp Blatter who went on to serve until his resignation and subsequent suspension in 2015. (QNA)