CAF discredits news of Hayatou corruption probe in Egypt

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially responded to reports that President Issa Hayatou had been recommended or prosecution by the Egyptian Competitions Authority. They labeled the news as ‘false information.’‘

CAF flatly denied that it had contravened any law in its award of broadcast rights to US-based sports marketing outfit, Lagadere Sports. Lagardere however says the allegation is without basis.

‘‘It should be noted that in the letter sent to CAF by the Egyptian Competition Authority, there is no mention of any prosecution against the president of CAF, whether for acts of corruption or something else,’‘ their statement clarified.

The statement further said CAF evaluated a number of offers and complied with existing contractual clauses before renewing the Lagadere deal which started from 2008 and was due to expire last year.

Sports website Kingfut.com, quoted Egyptian authorities as saying Hayatou will be hauled before the country’s General prosecutor for corruption charges bordering on abuse of his position in the unilateral award of broadcasting rights.

CAF entered the new 12-year deal with Lagadere in June 2015, under the deal the company will hold rights for CAF competitions between 2017 and 2028.

CAF on Thursday night awarded its best football players, teams and officials at the GLO CAF awards ceremony held in Abuja, Nigeria. The continet’s biggest football event is due to kick off in Gabon on January 14.