ZURICH (AP) — FIFA President Sepp Blatter says the honorary presidency of Joao Havelange, who was implicated in a kickback scandal, can be decided by 209 member countries next month but none has suggested stripping his title.
Blatter said last July that his predecessor “cannot remain honorary president” after a Swiss prosecutor’s report was published confirming that Havelange got millions of dollars from World Cup broadcasting deals.
Then, Blatter said it should be “dealt with at our next congress,” which can take the 97-year-old Brazilian’s title. Havelange led FIFA for 24 years until 1998.
The deadline passed last weekend for FIFA members to propose items for their May 31 congress in Mauritius.
Blatter says “there has not been any proposals on that but it’s on the agenda,” under the topic “Honors.”
