Newsone Nigeria reports that a former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou is dead.
This online news platform understands that the death of the Former CAF President was announced by the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in a post on his Instagram stories on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The FIFA President wrote, “Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President and interim, FIFA Vice President and FIFA Council member, Issa Hayatou.
“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.”
Before his death, Newsone recalls that Issa Hayatou battled protracted sickness before his death less than 24 hours before his 78th birthday, according to Cameroonian media.
Hayatou served as the president of CAF for 29 years, leading the organisation from 1988 until his unexpected ouster in 2017.
He also stepped in as acting FIFA president from 2015 to 2016 after Sepp Blatter was suspended due to corruption allegations.
In 2021, FIFA imposed a one-year ban on Hayatou for violating the federation’s code of ethics in connection with CAF’s 2016 broadcasting deal with the French media company Lagardère.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the sanction the following year.
Hayatou was a successful track and field athlete and basketball player before his career in football administration,