Joao Havelange, a Brazilian who as president of FIFA for two decades transformed soccer's governing body into a multibillion-dollar business and a hotbed for corruption that damaged its reputation, died Tuesday. He was 100.
Havelange, who was suffering from a respiratory infection, died while in Rio de Janeiro hosting the Olympic Games.
In 2009, Havelange led off Rio's bid presentation to the International Olympic Committee by inviting the members to vote to "join me in celebrating my 100th birthday"' at the 2016 Games in Brazil.
Havelange expanded the World Cup from 16 to 32 teams and made it one of sports' most important events. He secured lucrative broadcast deals, brought nations into FIFA and created the women's World Cup. But with more cash also came widespread financial wrongdoing by FIFA's top officials, including Havelange. He never was punished by FIFA but resigned in December 2011 as a member of the IOC just before he was to be suspended on claims that he took a $1 million kickback.
Around the horn
Tennis: Juan Martin del Potro will return to the U.S. Open for the first time in three years after receiving a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association. Del Potro was the U.S. Open champion in 2009 but has been set back by wrist injuries.
College football: Michigan defensive end Shelton Johnson and wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell have been suspended. Coach Jim Harbaugh did not give additional details.
Crime: A Finnish prosecutor brought charges of aggravated rape against six members of the Cuban men's volleyball team stemming from allegations made in Tampere in July.
College basketball: Joel Cornette, who scored more than 1,000 points for Butler, died in a Chicago apartment. He was 35. An autopsy was scheduled. He was on the 2003 team that reached the Sweet 16.
