Issa Hayatou, a former Confederation of African Football (CAF) President has passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday in Paris where the 2024 Olympic Games is ongoing.
Hayatou served as CAF President for 29 years and also served as interim FIFA President in 2015 during the football body’s corruption issue in 2015.
The former football administration executive died barely 24 hours before his 78th birthday battled with a protracted illness according to reports.
FIFA President Gianni Infantinio paid tribute to his former colleague in a social media 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,” he wrote.
Infantino described Hayatou as passionate and dedicated. “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 was a track and field athlete long before being elected as CAF President in 1988 until 2017 when he lost to Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad. He also became a FIFA Vice-President in 1992