Evaluating the leadership of Issa Hayatou as the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) involves considering both his achievements and the controversies surrounding his tenure.
Achievements:
- Increased World Cup Slots: Hayatou successfully lobbied for an increase in the number of World Cup slots for African countries from 2 to 5.
- African Cup of Nations Expansion: He expanded the African Cup of Nations, increasing the number of participating teams from 8 to 12 in 1992 and then to 16 in 1996.
- Development of Football: Hayatou worked on the development of various football disciplines, including futsal, women’s football, and beach soccer.
- Hosting the World Cup: Africa hosted its first FIFA World Cup in 2010 in South Africa under Hayatou’s leadership.
Controversies:
- Togo Suspension: Hayatou faced criticism for suspending the Togo national team from international competitions for four years following their withdrawal from the 2010 African Cup of Nations after a deadly attack on their team bus. The suspension was later lifted by FIFA.
- Refereeing Controversy: The 2010 African Champions League final between TP Mazembe and Espérance Sportive de Tunis was marred by accusations of corrupt refereeing. Hayatou faced criticism from the Tunisian public during the trophy presentation.
- Bribery Allegations: Issa Hayatou, along with other FIFA officials, was accused of receiving bribes in a documentary aired by the English media.
In evaluating Hayatou’s presidency, one must consider the positive developments he brought to African football alongside the controversies and criticisms he faced. Views on his leadership may differ depending on the perspective taken—whether emphasizing achievements or highlighting controversies.
