By David Gold
December 10 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed its disappointment at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to reprimand its President Issa Hayatou for allegedly accepting payments from FIFA’s former marketing partner ISL.
In Lausanne earlier this week, Hayatou was warned along with Lamine Diack, the head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), after the IOC’s Ethics Commission investigated allegations that he had received 100,000 French Francs in 1995 from ISL.
Hayatou, also a FIFA vice-president, was not a part of the IOC in 1995 having joined in 2001, is able to continue to serve as a member of the organisation.
“Hayatou never received the said sum for his personal account and could not, therefore, use it for personal needs,” said CAF vice-president Kabele Camara said in a statement.
“No conflict of interest, therefore, can be charged against him.
“It is recalled that the general principle of law, which is binding on all, provides that the accused should be given the benefit of doubt.
“CAF regrets that all documents and evidence provided were not considered, even as its Executive Committee had approved the donation as recorded in its minutes.”
In a swipe at the IOC, the statement added that “rejecting all these documents demonstrates disrespect and lack of consideration of the IOC towards the Pan-African institution”.
CAF also back Hayatou’s defence that the money was intended for the celebration of the organisation’s 40th anniversary.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has also defended Hayatou over the allegations, though he has also pledged to make public documents relating to the collapse of ISL in 2001.
The documents are expected to reveal that key FIFA members received kickbacks from ISL.
The IOC’s own investigation into the affair has already led to former FIFA President João Havelange resigning his position as a member of the organisation after 38 years.
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