The 92-year-old believes FIFA deliberately chose English referees to influence several games in Alf Ramsey's side's favour.

In an interview with the Folha of Sao Paulo newspaper, Havelange said:

'In 1966 English referees were called in to the games between Brazil against Portugal and Brazil against Hungary.

'The Germany against Uruguay game also had an English referee and England vs. Argentina had a German referee. They managed to get to Pele. They only had German and English referees in the games of Brazil.

'Isn't this strange? The same thing happened in Germany in 1974.'

The Folha newspaper then asked: 'Then you believe there was interference in favour of the home teams in the 1966 and 1974 Cups?"

Havelange replied: 'Exactly.'