99-year-old Havelange released from Rio de Janeiro hospital

Posted November 28, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Former FIFA president Joao Havelange was released Saturday from a Rio de Janeiro hospital where he was treated for 12 days for what doctors called "respiratory problems."

The Rio Hospital Samaritano offered no other information about his condition at discharge.

The 99-year old Brazilian, who handed over the FIFA presidency in 1998 to Sepp Blatter, was hospitalized a year ago for a similar problem.

Havelange led soccer's governing body FIFA for 24 years, but has been embroiled in recent controversy.

He resigned from the International Olympic Committee 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 was also forced to resign as FIFA's honorary president.

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