Issa Hayatou, the long-time leader of African football and former acting FIFA president, has passed away at the age of 77. The Cameroonian sports administrator, who served as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for nearly three decades, played a pivotal role in elevating African football on the global stage.
Hayatou led CAF from 1988 to 2017, making him one of the longest-serving sports administrators in the world. During his tenure, African football witnessed significant growth, including increased representation in FIFA and the World Cup. Hayatou was instrumental in bringing the 2010 FIFA World Cup to South Africa, the first time the tournament was hosted on the African continent.
Beyond his work with CAF, Hayatou held several influential positions within FIFA. He served as a FIFA vice president and was a member of the FIFA Council (formerly the Executive Committee) from 1990 to 2017. In 2015, during FIFA’s corruption crisis, Hayatou stepped in as the acting president, guiding the organization through a period of turmoil until Gianni Infantino was elected as president in 2016.
Hayatou’s career was not without controversy. In 2021, FIFA’s ethics committee banned him for one year over a breach of ethics related to a commercial rights deal. However, this sanction was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Gianni Infantino, the current FIFA president, paid tribute to Hayatou, saying, “Issa Hayatou was a dedicated and passionate sports leader who played a crucial role in the development of football in Africa and around the world. His contributions to the sport will be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Hayatou’s legacy is marked by both his achievements in advancing African football and the challenges he faced in the later years of his career. His passing in Paris, where the 2024 Olympic Games are currently being held, marks the end of a significant chapter in the history of football.
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