Issa Hayatou, the former long-time president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has passed away at 77.

The Cameroonian led CAF for 29 years, from 1988 to 2017, and also held significant roles within FIFA.

Hayatou was a member of FIFA’s executive committee, now the FIFA Council, from 1990 to 2017 and served as FIFA’s acting president between 2015 and 2016 following Sepp Blatter’s suspension.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino honored Hayatou’s legacy in an Instagram post, recalling his dedication to sports administration and his background as a track athlete and basketball player.

Issa Hayatou, the esteemed former president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has died at the age of 77. Hayatou’s influential career spanned nearly three decades, as he led CAF from 1988 until 2017. His tenure significantly shaped African football, leaving a lasting impact on the sport’s governance in the continent.

In addition to his role at CAF, Hayatou was a prominent figure in global football administration. He served on FIFA’s executive committee, now known as the FIFA Council, from 1990 to 2017. During a pivotal moment in FIFA’s history, he briefly stepped in as the acting president between 2015 and 2016 after Sepp Blatter’s suspension. His contributions extended beyond CAF, reflecting his broader influence in world football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid tribute to Hayatou, highlighting his lifelong commitment to sports administration. Infantino praised Hayatou’s passion for sports and his varied athletic background, which included track and field and basketball. The loss of Hayatou is deeply felt across the football community, acknowledging his role in advancing the sport globally.