FORMER FIFA PRESIDENT DIES AT 100

Joao Havelange, former FIFA president has died in his hometown in Rio at the age of 100. The centenarian, who was the predecessor to Sepp Blatter, served from 1974-1998. According to a statement from the Samaritano Hospital, Havelange, who was supposedly suffering from

a respiratory infection, died early Tuesday morning.

In 2009, Havelange led off Rio's bid presentation to the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen by inviting the members to vote to "join me in celebrating my 100th birthday'" at the 2016 Games in Brazil.

The Brazilian resigned as FIFA’s honorary president in April 2013 following an investigation into bribery allegations and was admitted to hospital the following year with a lung infection. He is credited for having started wide reaching reforms at FIFA. Of the lot, he led the drive to expand the World Cup from 16 to 32 participating teams, and launched a wave of new tournaments; Under-17 and Under-20 tournaments, Confederations Cup and Women’s World Cup. He will also be fondly remembered for expanding football into the global game that it is today, having helped take the sport to the likes of Africa and Asia.

Already the International Olympic Committee, IOC, has in a statement mandated that the Brazilian flag be flown at half-mast during the day in Olympic venues following a request from Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.