Romario wants Brazilian federation chief to resign

Brazilian congressman Romario is calling for the resignation of the national football federation president for his alleged links to the country's military

Romario led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, beating Italy in the final :: Felipe Dana/AP

Brazilian congressman Romario is calling for the resignation of the national football federation president for his alleged links to the country's military dictatorship.

Romario, a former Brazil striker, will hand over a petition featuring nearly 55,000 signatures to the federation and other entities Monday demanding that Jose Maria Marin quits to avoid an "embarrassing'' situation during the Confederations Cup later this year and the 2014 World Cup.

Romario will deliver the signatures along with Ivo Herzog, the son of a local journalist who died during the dictatorship era in 1975. The pair want an investigation into Marin's possible connection to the death.

Marin denies any wrongdoing and has accused Brazil's media of trying to create chaos as the country prepares for the World Cup.