Ricardo Teixeira quits as head of Brazil CBF

A controversial figure: Texeira’s resignation follows a leave of absence for medical reasons [GALLO/GETTY]

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.”

During his time at the top of Brazilian football, Teixiera had his name linked to a number of scandals and in 2011 was connected with illicit payments from FIFA’s collapsed marketing partner ISL.

Reports in the Brazilian press also reported he had overcharged when invoicing the organisers of a friendly match between Portugal and Brazil in November 2008.  

Teixeira 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.