By Andrew Warshaw
May 9 – Rio de Janeiro politicians want the name of disgraced former FIFA president Joao Havelange removed from the city’s Olympic stadium in the wake of recent bribery findings.
Havelange quit as FIFA’s honorary president last month shortly before the publication of a report by FIFA’s ethics committee into claims he took millions of dollars in exchange for World Cup contracts from the ISL sports marketing company at the time he was president of world football’s governing body.
“The name Joao Havelange is today linked to fraud investigations and scandals at FIFA,” said city councillor Renato Cinco. “It doesn’t make sense for a city which is going to host the World Cup and Olympic Games to have the name of its stadium with this reference.”
The venue, more often referred to as the Engenhao locally, is officially named the Joao Havelange Olympic stadium. Protestors have suggested changing name to Joao Saldanha, who coached Brazil during the 1970 World Cup qualifying competition.
The stadium, built just six years ago, had been the main football venue in Rio de Janeiro whilst the Maracana is undergoing renovation. However it was forced to close due to serious structural problems with the roof in March. If the wind reaches 63km per hour the structural issues pose a risk to spectators. A solution is being sought.
“It’s a shame for Brazil to have this name attached to the stadium,” Gabriel Marinho, a member of the Rio-based National Front of Sports Fans, told Bloomberg.
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