Cameroonian Senior Football administrator ISSA HAYATOU has died in Paris. News of the death of the former FECAFOOT Scribe fell on August 8 2024 like a bombshell.
It was Veteran BBC journalist and very good friend to Mr Hayatou, Gerard Dreyfus who broke the news on his Facebook page: “A reliable source has just informed me of the death of my very dear friend Issa Hayatou today in Paris. He and I have known each other since 1975.
He was a unique man, unfortunately not always understood in Africa. I will have the opportunity to reflect further on this old comrade in struggle soon, Gerard Dreyfus” Born on August 9, 1946, in Garoua, Cameroon, Hayatou left a remarkable legacy in African sports through his distinguished career.
Interestingly, Hayatou began his sports career as an athlete and basketball player before transitioning to football administration. He was Cameroon champion in the 400 and 800 metres. He served as the Secretary General of the Cameroon Football Federation from 1974 to 1983, and then as Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports from 1982 to 1986.
In August 1987, Hayatou was elected president of CAF, a position he held with distinction for nearly 30 years. Under his leadership, African football underwent significant transformations. His tenure was marked by a historic achievement: the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held for the first time on the African continent, in South Africa. President Hayatou remains the only African to be FIFA president. He served as the acting FIFA president until 26 February 2016 as the previous president Sepp Blatter was banned from all football related activities in 2015 as a result of that year’s FIFA corruption investigation.
In 2002, we recalled Hayatou ran for the FIFA presidency but was defeated by Sepp Blatter.
Nevertheless, his impact on African football remains undeniable, and his legacy is felt through the numerous reforms and developments he initiated.
The native of Garoua had thus been suspended from all football-related activities for a period of one year by FIFA in June 2021 for breach of his ” duty of loyalty ” at the time of signing the contract on the television and marketing rights of African football with Lagardère Sports. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport had subsequently cleared him.
After being dethroned by the Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad at the head of CAF in 2017, Hayatou had held the positions of chairman of the board of directors of the Cameroon National Football Academy (Anafoot) and member of the local organizing committee of CAN 2021. He was also honorary president of CAF.
The football community and sports fans across the continent mourn the loss of this man who dedicated his life to advancing African football. Issa Hayatou leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
