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BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Gratefulness and tribute from China's media and netizens went to the former FIFA chief Joao Havelange, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 100.
The Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro confirmed his death due to lung infection on early Tuesday.
Havelange was the leader of FIFA for 24 years from 1974 to 1998. He also served as the International Olympic Committee member between 1963 and 2011. In China, he was known as a strong supporter for China hosting the Olympic Games and developing football.
Wei Jizhong, the honorary life president of the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB), described Havelange as one of the two tutors in his life, the other is Juan Antonio Samaranch.
"FIFA will offer all the help China need but you should rely on yourself to win," Wei quoted the former FIFA chief, "I think he is somehow disappointed at our failure."
Sina China paid tribute to the legend with an article titled "Pierre de Coubertin of football, best president of FIFA".
NetEase Sports' website reported the sad news with bald, black Chinese font, mentioning football may not be the first sport of the world without his contribution in FIFA's reform.
The related report on the XINHUA NEWS attracted over 1,300 replies of which "Be a wise man" wrote: "His life is completed. A man who made football the primary sport."
"A good old man, may he rest in peace," said "A happy guy is happy".
Another netizen replied, "He changed football, football changed him, too. Farewell."
The last one might refer to his controversy of taking kickbacks, his successor, Switzerland's Sepp Blatter, also stepped down due to bribes.
On twitter's Chinese counterpart, Weibo, the news was retweeted hundreds of times and the most liked comment from "Answers love watermelon", said "His massive contribution to football can not be overshadowed by the long time corruption."
