RIO DE JANEIRO: Former FIFA President Joao Havelange is getting ”significantly” better and is no longer considered as being in a serious condition.

The Hospital Samaritano in Rio de Janeiro said in a statement that the 95-year-old is ”lucid” and that the right ankle infection which has kept the former IOC member in intensive care for six weeks is now under control.

Doctor Joao Mansur Filho said that Havelange’s health had ”improved significantly,” although the Brazilian official remains in a semi-intensive care unit and there is no timetable for his release.

Havelange led FIFA from 1974-98 and remains an honorary president. He resigned from the IOC late last year citing undisclosed health reasons, avoiding a possible suspension for allegedly receiving illicit payments from former FIFA and IOC marketing partner ISL.

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