Issa Hayatou, the longstanding figure in African football who served as interim president of FIFA during the organization’s corruption scandal in 2015, passed away on Thursday at the age of 77.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an Instagram 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.

“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.”

He was elected president of the Confederation of African Football in 1988 and, within four years, ascended to the role of vice president of FIFA.

Issa Hayatou held the position of president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from 1988 to 2017.

He acted as the interim president of FIFA until February 26, 2016, following the ban of former president Sepp Blatter from all football-related activities in 2015 due to a corruption investigation.

In 2002, Hayatou contested the FIFA presidency but lost to Blatter. Additionally, he was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In November 2010, the BBC accused him of accepting bribes during the 1990s related to the allocation of World Cup television rights, prompting an investigation by the IOC.

After the FIFA corruption scandal in 2015, Hayatou served as the acting president of FIFA until Gianni Infantino was elected on 26 February 2016.

His tenure as CAF President, which lasted 29 years, came to an end on 16 March 2017 when he was defeated by Malagasy candidate Ahmad Ahmad.

Subsequently, on 24 May 2017, he was appointed as the President of the National Football Academy by Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya.

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