Ricardo Teixeira, the head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for the past 22 years, has resigned for health reasons.
The 64-year-old has also resigned as the head of the local organising committee for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Teixeira tendered his resignation in a letter that was read out to reporters at the CBF.
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 the new federation and organising committee president, former São Paulo governor José Maria Marin.
“I leave the presidency of the CBF 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.”
