Fifa U-turn over Issa Hayatou Olympics appointment
World governing body says "technical error" caused incorrect publication of Fifa committees online
Fifa has performed an embarrassing U-turn over the announcement that African football boss Issa Hayatou – twice accused of corruption in the past 12 months – had been appointed head of the organising committee for Olympic football tournaments.
Hayatou’s name had also been removed from the list of officials at the Goal bureau which oversees funding of what is seen as one of Fifa’s most important projects.
The Goal programme provides support for football development projects such as creation of youth academies, the modernisation of national association computer systems, and the promotion of women’s football, futsal and beach football.
Confederation of African Football president Hayatou would have been a controversial choice for either post because of the allegations, which he has denied, that he has faced in the last year.
“Due to a technical error, appointments for Fifa standing committees have appeared on the Fifa website,” said football’s world governing body in a statement.
“The appointments for the chairman and deputy chairman of the Fifa standing committees will be communicated in due course.
“Therefore, Issa Hayatou has not been appointed as chairman of the organising committee for the Olympic football tournaments.”
