Ricardo Teixeira, the head of the Brazilian soccer federation (CBF), became the latest soccer executive to resign amid scandal, quitting two years beforeBrazil hosts the next World Cup. He was suffering from diverticulitis, a painful bowel condition.
“I did what was within my reach, sacrificing my health,” Teixeira, 64, saidin a written statement. “I was criticized in the losses and undervalued in the victories.”
Teixeira, former FIFA president JoaoHavelange‘s former son-in-law, also resigned as head of the organizing committee for the 2014 World Cup. He is also a member of FIFA’s executive committee. He was replaced in both Brazilianposts by his vice president and former Sao Paulo governor Jose Maria Marin.
Teixeira was the CBF president as Brazil won the World Cup twice, buthe was also linked in a number of CBF and FIFA scandals but has denied the charges.
“We can celebrate,” former Brazilian star Romario,who is currently a lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook page. “We have exterminated a cancer from Brazilian soccer. Finally Ricardo Teixeira resigned from the CBF.”