FIFA wants Teixeira replaced 'immediately'

[March 20, 2012]  ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA says the South American soccer confederation must "immediately" replace Ricardo Teixeira on its executive committee.

Teixeira resigned his FIFA seat on Monday for "personal reasons," one week after leaving as president of Brazil's soccer body and the 2014 World Cup organizing committee, citing unspecified health problems.

FIFA says its statutes require the South American body, known as CONMEBOL, to "decide immediately on the replacement of Ricardo Teixeira."

FIFA's 24-member ruling panel chaired by president Sepp Blatter meets next week in Zurich.

The 64-year-old Teixeira had two years left in the elected post he held since 1994.

CONMEBOL has three FIFA seats and traditionally elects one member from each of Brazil and Argentina.

[Associated Press]

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