Scandal-ridden former Fifa President Joao Havelange dies

Former Fifa president Joao Havelange has died in Rio de Janeiro, aged 100.

The Brazilian's death was confirmed by the Rio hospital he was being treated for pneumonia in. He had been hospitalised since last month, Brazil's Gazeta Press reported.

Havelange succeeded Englishman Stanley Rous to the top spot at world football's governing body in 1974, and was credited with redistributing some of Fifa's powers to developing nations.

His expansion of the World Cup from 16 to 32 teams allowed more Asian and African sides to participate, cementing his power. He stepped aside in 1998, and was succeeded by Sepp Blatter.

He resigned as Fifa honorary president in 2013 following bribery allegations, and was admitted to hospital that year with a lung infection.

Before moving into sports administration, he was a swimmer, taking part in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and the 1952 games in Helsinki. He also served as the head of Brazil's swimming federation, and as a member of Brazil's Olympic Committee, before resigning in 2011 due to ill health.

In 2007 the 60,000-capacity João Havelange Olympic Stadium, named after Havelange, opened. It is currently being used in the Rio Olympics for the football and track and field competitions.