Former FIFA President Havelange resigns from IOC

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Former FIFA President Havelange resigns from IOC

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ICC's ethics commission was due to recommend heavy sanctions against Havelange in kickback scandal.

05 December,2011 04:10 am

Joao Havelange has resigned from the IOC, just days before facing suspension from the Olympic body in a decade-old kickback scandal stemming from his days as president of FIFA, The Associated Press has learned.The 95-year-old Havelange the IOCs longest-serving member with 48 years of service submitted his resignation in a letter Thursday night, according to a person familiar with the case. The person spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because Havelanges decision has been kept confidential.The move came a few days before the International Olympic Committees ethics commission was due to recommend heavy sanctions against Havelange in the case involving FIFAs former marketing agency ISL.Havelange, an IOC member since 1963, has been under investigation by the ethics commission for allegedly receiving a $1 million payment from ISL. Two other IOC members, IAAF President Lamine Diack and African football official Issa Hayatou, are also under investigation but face much lesser penalties.A two-year suspension, or even possible expulsion, for Havelange was expected to be considered at Thursdays IOC executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. With his resignation, the ethics case against him is expected to be dropped.Havelange, a former Olympic swimmer and water polo player, served as FIFA president for 24 years before being succeeded by Sepp Blatter in 1998. He remains honorary president of FIFA.