Former FIFA president Joao Havelange is fighting a serious bacterial infection in a Rio de Janeiro hospital.
Dr. Joao Mansur Filho said in a statementTuesday that Havelange, 95, has septic arthritis, an infection that affects joints, with his right ankle affected the most.
Havelange was admitted to Samaritano Hospital on Sunday. He islisted in serious condition. Three months ago he resigned from the International Olympic Committee, citing undisclosed health reasons.
Havelange served as FIFA President from 1974 to 1998,succeeding Stanley Rous and preceding current president Sepp Blatter.