Former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, has died at the age of 77.
Beyond Boders learned that he passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024, in Paris, just a day before his 78th birthday.
Hayatou was a major figure in African football for many years. He led CAF from 1988 to 2017 and also served as interim FIFA President from 2015 to 2016 during the suspension of Joseph Sepp Blatter due to a corruption scandal.
Under his leadership, South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time an African nation hosted the event.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his sadness over Hayatou’s death in an Instagram post on Thursday evening.
He described Hayatou as a “passionate sports fan” who devoted his life to sports administration.
Infantino also extended his condolences to Hayatou’s family, friends, and colleagues, saying, “Rest in peace.”
