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Relations with UEFA and FIFA
An initiative negotiated by Hayatou with UEFA in September 1997 provided for the payment of compensation to African governing bodies and clubs for players of African origin working in Europe . This initiative was followed by the Meridian project , signed in December 1997 with UEFA , which provided for the payment of sums of money to African national associations every two years , giving rise to the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup . The Goal 1999 project , set up with FIFA , provides 46 African federations with financial support of one million dollars over four years . These negotiations , irrespective of their impact on African club soccer , forged a close relationship between UEFA officials and Hayatou , and led UEFA to support Hayatou ’ s nomination to replace Sepp Blatter at the head of FIFA in 2002 . Unfortunately , he lost the elections to Sepp Blatter , with whom he maintained very good relations . His influence extended beyond Africa , as he also held the position of interim FIFA president from 2015 to February 2016 , following Sepp Blatter ’ s suspension due to the FIFA corruption investigation . He has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ).
Journalist Gérard Dreyfus testifies
I remember our first meeting at his home in Yaoundé . As a young journalist with RFI , I took advantage of my stay in the Cameroonian capital to make contact with the man who was then General Secretary of FECAFOOT ( the Cameroon Football Federation ). He ’ s sitting on a chair , in traditional dress , next to the front door of his house . I can see him from the end of his garden . That image has stayed with me forever . The year is 1975 . Let me introduce myself . RFI ( Radio France Internationale ), he knows like many Africans , we naturally talk about soccer . And it all clicked . It takes more than a few moments to get to know the person in front of you for the first ti me .
SEOUL , SOUTH KOREA - MAY 28 : World Cup 2002 in JAPAN and KOREA , Seoul ; FIFA CONGRESS ; Issa HAYATOU ( FIFA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ), FIFA PRESIDENT Joseph BLATTER ( Photo by Martin Rose / Bongarts / Getty Images )
Flashmag ! Issue 152 August 2024
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