Share

Brazil soccer boss quits

Rio de Janeiro - Ricardo Teixeira stepped down from his posts as head of the Brazilian football federation and the 2014 World Cup organising committee on Monday, ending a contentious 23-year stint in charge of Brazilian football.

Teixeira took a leave of absence for medical reasons last week, but the Brazilian federation announced he has left permanently to look after his health.

The announcement came in a letter of resignation read by new federation and organising committee president, former Sao Paulo Governor Jose Maria Marin.

"I leave the presidency of the CBF (national federation) permanently with the sense of mission accomplished," Teixeira wrote in the letter.

"It's not easy to preside passion. Football in our country is associated with two things: talent and disorganisation. When we win, talent is praised. When we lose, it's about disorganisation. I did what was within my reach, sacrificing my health. I was criticised in the losses and undervalued in the victories."

Teixeira's term had been expected to end in 2015.

The medical reasons were not officially disclosed, but last year he took leave after being hospitalised because of diverticulitis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the intestine.

Teixeira has led the CBF since 1989 and revamped the organisation after it struggled financially. Under his command, Brazil won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups and the federation became one of the richest in the world.

But the success was followed by a lot of controversy, and there had been calls for his resignation amid allegations of irregularities in Brazil and abroad. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

The 79-year-old Marin said nothing would immediately change at the federation or World Cup organizing committee with him in command.

Earlier this year, television cameras caught Marin putting a winner's medal in his pocket while presenting them to players in an under-18 tournament in Sao Paulo. He later said the medal was given to him. He was not accused of any wrongdoing by organisers.

Some local federations were against having Marin as president and wanted to be able to pick a successor for Teixeira through elections or by changing the national federation's statutes.

It remained unclear if Teixeira will also leave the FIFA executive committee, which is a position elected through CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation. Teixeira has been an executive member of football's governing body since 1994.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1223 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1419 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2154 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE