Former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou has died at the age of 77.
The Cameroonian spent 29 years as the head of the continental football governing body, assuming the presidency in 1988 and leaving in 2017.
He also held top positions in FIFA, the world governing body.
Hayatou was a member of the Switzerland-based organization’s executive committee, now known as the FIFA Council, from 1990 to 2017.
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, through a post on Instagram, honored Hayatou, who was an athlete and basketball player in his youth.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of former Caf president, former Fifa president ad interim, Fifa vice president and Fifa council member, Issa Hayatou,” Infantino wrote.
“A passionate sports fan, he dedicated his life to sports administration.
“On behalf of Fifa, condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”
In August 2021, Hayatou was suspended for one year by FIFA for violating its code of ethics when he signed the biggest contract in African football with the French media company Lagardère in 2016.
The sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in February of the following year.
Source: BBC News
