Confederation
of African Football president Issa Hayatou has taken temporary charge of Fifa
after football's world governing body suspended its president Sepp Blatter.
The
Cameroonian, 69, is Fifa's most senior vice-president and has been in the role
since 1992.
"I will
serve only on an interim basis," Hayatou said in a statement.
Blatter
announced in June he would step down and Fifa set presidential elections for 26
February.
Hayatou
added: "A new president will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress... I
myself will not be a candidate for that position.
"Until
the Extraordinary Congress, I pledge that I will dedicate my best efforts to
the organisation, the member associations, our employees, our valued partners,
and football fans everywhere.
"Fifa
remains committed to the reform process, which is critical to reclaiming public
trust. We will also continue to cooperate fully with authorities and follow the
internal investigation wherever it leads."
Hayatou has
faced allegations of corruption in the past, which he has denied. He was
reprimanded by International Olympic Committee in 2011 over allegations he
accepted bribes for World Cup TV rights in the 1990s.
He was
elected Caf president in 1988 and earlier this year he controversially oversaw
changes to the body's rules on age limits so he could continue into the next
decade.
Hayatou has
also faced allegations of accepting bribes related to Qatar's 2022 World Cup
bid.
Post a Comment