Joao Havelange, Former President of FIFA and former International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, passes away in Rio de Janeiro's Samaritano Hospital on Tuesday 16 August at the age of 100.

We express our deep gratitude for his lifelong achievements and we offer our sincerest condolences.

Informed about the death of former president Joao Havelange, Japan Football Association (JFA) President TASHIMA Kohzo and Supreme Advisor OGURA Junji express their condolences.

Comments

TASHIMA Kohzo, President of JFA
It feels that the demise of exceptional star marks end of an era. The football could not have been the global sports without the outstanding achievement of Dr. Havelange. With the concept of “universal access,” he made contribution for more people from in every corner of the world to watch FIFA World Cup through television. This led in increasing more football fans and significant expansion to its market. These achievements are immeasurable. Also, not only proposing the host of FIFA World Cups in Asia and Africa but he also gave immense support to Japan.

My thoughts and prayers are with him and may his soul rest in peace.

OGURA Junji, Supreme Advisor of JFA/Former Member of FIFA Executive Committee
At FIFA World Cup 1986 Mexico, FIFA President Havelange mentioned that “FIFA World Cup could be hosted in Africa and Asia in 21st Century.” This proposal surely gave JFA a motivation to consider hosting FIFA World Cup in Japan. At the year of 1988, Japan did not have enough stadiums to start professional league, however we included in the report of Japan Soccer League as one of the goals that we aim for that we would start professional league in Japan and host FIFA World Cup in 2002.

When JFA officially decided to bid for the World Cup, I made a visit to President Hagelange with Mr. NAGANUMA Ken, Mr. OKANO Shun-ichiro and Mr. MURATA Tadao. He advised us that Japan should prove the ability of organising international competition by hosting FIFA U-17 Championship as we have not hosted any FIFA competitions since World Youth in 1979. He was a strong supporter of Japan and gave us an opportunity to host FIFA World Cup in this country.

He also served as a member of IOC. At age of 100, he passed away during Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro - his hometown. Feeling a sense of destiny, I wish to convey my sincere condolence.

Nota de Pesar

É com imenso e profundo pesar que recebemos a notícia do falecimento de uma grande estrela, e com ele, o fim de uma era.

A grande projeção que o futebol atingiu no mundo dos esportes foi uma notável realização do Dr. Havelange. Com o conceito de acesso universal, ele empenhou esforços para que a Copa do Mundo FIFA pudesse ser assistida pela televisão por muita gente em toda parte do mundo. E desta maneira, muitas pessoas se tornaram fãs aficionados do futebol, ampliando consideravelmente o mercado. Essa contribuição é imensurável.

Não somente propôs a realização da Copa do Mundo FIFA na Ásia e África, como também deu um extraordinário apoio ao futebol japonês.

Nossos mais sinceros sentimentos, que descanse em paz.

Kohzo Tashima
Presidente da Associação Japonesa de Futebol