The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, on Thursday, has announced the death of former President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou
Infantino wrote on his Instagram: “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.”
According to Cameroonian media, Hayatou died due to protracted sickness less than 24 hours before his 78th birthday.
He served as the president of CAF for 29 years, leading the organization from 1988 until his unexpected ouster in 2017.
Hayatou 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, but 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.
- NERC Probes Deaths Of 38 Electricity Workers - October 14, 2025
- Flood Killed 236 Persons In Nigeria – NEMA 2025 Report - October 13, 2025
- President Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon To Macaulay, Vatsa Others - October 11, 2025