Former FIFA interim president and long-time leader of African soccer Issa Hayato
Updated On: 09 August, 2024 09:12 AM IST | Paris | AP
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
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Issa Hayatou. Pic/AFP
Issa Hayatou, the long-time leader of African soccer who was made interim president of FIFA during its corruption crisis in 2015, died on Thursday. He was 77. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an Instagram post: "Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF president, former FIFA president and interim, FIFA vice-president and FIFA Council member Issa Hayatou. 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."
Hayatou also was a member of the International Olympic Committee for 15 years, through 2016, and remained an honorary member. He died in Paris while the city hosted the Olympics. Though a national champion runner in track and field, it was in soccer that Hayatou rose to power and influence from his native Cameroon. He was elected to lead the Confederation of African Football in 1988 and within four years was a vice president of the world soccer body FIFA. In 2002, during a period of deep financial and political turmoil at FIFA, Hayatou challenged then-president Sepp Blatter in an election he would lose heavily despite support for him in Europe.
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