FIFA Crisis: Hayatou Takes Over

 

FIFA crisis: Hayatou takes over

. Blatter, Platini’s suspension confirmed
.Obienu, Ogunjobi react

THE unfolding drama in the FIFA corruption scandal which has seen the suspension of Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini for a period of 90 days has led to the emergence of Issa Hayatou of Cameroon as acting FIFA President.
According to a statement on Thursday by FI- FA’s ethics committee, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), would take over, in accordance with FIFA statutes, as the longest- serving vice-president on FIFA’s executive committee.

Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA President following the decision of the Independent Chairman of the Ad- judicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee. He was banned from all football activities on a national and international level.
Additionally, Platini was also suspended by the FIFA ethics committee in the wake of a Swiss criminal investigation. The decision seemingly ends Platini’s bid to succeed Blatter as FIFA president in the emergency election billed for February.

Chung, a former FIFA vice president, was found guilty of breaches relating to South Korea’s failed bid for the 2022 World Cup. Valcke had already been put on leave last month after being the subject of allegations over a deal for black market sales of tickets during the 2014 World Cup matches.
It was also announced that the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee issued a provisional 90-day ban for FIFA’s Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke.
All operational business matters will continue to be overseen by Markus Kattner, Acting Secretary General.

Reacting to the latest development that has thrown FIFA into deeper crisis, former vice chairman of the Nigeria Football As- sociation, NFA, Barrister Richard Obienu stated that Hayatou’s ascendancy to the position of Fifa President does not make any difference. “As far as I’m concerned, the ethics commit- tee is only following what is on ground. Hayatou has not developed African football the way he should in the last 27 years that he has been on the saddle. The income from the Na- tions Cup, Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup does not trikkle down to the federations. Football the world over is business but in Africa, football has remained a thing of goodwill. I don’t see the magic that he would bring to Fifa in 90 days.”

Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA in his reaction stated that Hayatou’s appointment is in acting capacity but says he hopes he won’t disappoint Africa.
“Hayatou is in acting capacity as President of FIFA and my only prayer is that he should not dis- appoint Africa. He will go into history as the first black man to lead FIFA and that is a big responsibilty. He needs to protect Africa’s image especially with the elections coming up in February 2016.”