PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Former vice-president of FIFA Jack Warner has labeled former FIFA president Joao Havelange, who died yesterday, as “the man who changed the face of football forever.”
Warner also described Havelange, who passed away at a Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, as the president who saved football from “ignominy” and transformed it into the beautiful game.
Born in Brazil, Havelange, who was 100, served as FIFA president for more than two decades and resigned from honorary presidency in 2013.
“I dreaded this day. The man who changed the face of football forever, saved it from ignominy and transformed it into the beautiful game is no more,” said Warner, who also served as president of CONCACAF.
“When Dr João Havelange ascended the football throne the sport was virtually bankrupt but by the time he left, it had become the most affluent sport in the global village,” said Warner.
Havelange was predecessor to Sepp Blatter at world football’s governing body, serving from 1974 to 1998.
As FIFA president he led the World Cup’s expansion from 16 to 32 teams, with six competitions held under his tenure.
“He was one of the most progressive thinkers who was never starved for ideas,” said Warner, also a former government minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
“The quantum leap that took place in the sport was as a result of his vision which he shared even after he officially took his exit from football.”
The Centre of Excellence in Trinidad, the subject of legal contention, was named the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in honour of the former FIFA president.
“His greatest contribution to Caribbean football is the gift of the Centre of Excellence in Macoya that he gave to the Warner family which carries his name and which, ironically, is now a point of contention in our courts,” said Warner.
“But what he has achieved has left no doubt in anyone’s mind, no suspicion among those he touched and no misgiving among those who benefitted from his stewardship.”
