By Duncan Mackay

Estadio Olimpico João Havelange 2May 9 - A bill has been presented by politicians in Rio de Janeiro demanding the removal of former FIFA President João Havelange's name from the stadium which is due to host athletics during the 2016 Olympics. 


Havelange, 96, quit as FIFA's Honorary President last month, shortly before the publication of a report by the world governing body's Ethics Committee into allegations he took bribes from the ISL sports marketing company while head of the organisation.

"The name João Havelange is today linked to fraud investigations and scandals at FIFA," said Renato Cinco, one of the Councillors behind the proposed legislation.

"It doesn't make sense for a city which is going to host the World Cup and Olympic Games have the name of its stadium with this reference."

Rio 2016 officials, who have publicly backed Havelange despite the corruption scandal, have claimed that it is nothing to do with them the name of the the Estadio Olimpico João Havelange.

João HavelangeJoão Havelange has been found guilty of taking bribes from ISL by FIFA's Ethics Committee

The Stadium, built in 2007 for the Pan American Games, is due to be the main athletics venue during the Olympics and Paralympics.

But it is currently closed for renovations after serious structural problems were discovered in the roof.

It is not due to be used the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Councillors have suggested changing the stadium's name to João Saldanha, who coached Brazil in the 1970 World Cup qualifying competition.

"The change of name to Joao Saldanha is an attempt to resolve not just a matter of ethics, considering that Joao Havelange is not worthy of this tribute, but also to bring fresh air to this Stadium built on the basis of overblown costs and with structural problems," said Eliomar Coelho, another Councillor of the authors of the bill.

Saldanha, who died in 1990, was a passionate supporter of Rio's Botafogo football club, the current lease-holders of the João Havelange stadium.

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April 2013: Havelange resigns as FIFA Honorary President after named in bribes scandal but Blatter cleared
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July 2012: Blatter wants Havelange stripped of honorary FIFA Presidency
July 2012: Former IOC member confirmed as having received massive kickbacks from FIFA's former marketing partner