The football community is mourning the loss of Issa Hayatou, the former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who has passed away.
The news of his demise was shared by FIFA President Gianni Infantino on his Instagram stories on Thursday, paying tribute to Hayatou’s lifelong dedication to African football.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President and interim, FIFA Vice President and FIFA Council member, Issa Hayatou,” the post reads.
“As a passionate sports fan and IOC Member, he dedicated his life to sports administration and on behalf of FIFA, and condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”
Cameroonian media are reporting that Hayatou had been battling a protracted sickness before his death less than 24 hours to his 78th birthday.
Hayatou was a long-serving president of CAF for 29 years, from 1988 until his surprise ouster in 2017.
The Cameroonian also served as acting FIFA president from 2015 to 2016 after Sepp Blatter was suspended over corruption charges.
Hayatou was handed a one-year ban by FIFA in 2021 for breaching the federation’s code of ethics when signing CAF’s broadcasting deal with Lagardere, the French media company, in 2016.
However, the sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) the following year.
Hayatou was also an accomplished track and field athlete and basketball player before his sojourn into football administration.
