The Cofederation of African Football, CAF has expressed disappointment over the decision by the International Olympic Committee to reprimand its President, Issa Hayatou, based on allegation that he received in 1995, the sum of 100,000 French francs (15,000euros) from the ISL / ISMM Company.

The Vice President of the CAF, Almamy Kabele Camara, recalled that, during the 40th anniversary of CAF, ISL / ISMM, also an official partner of FIFA, had wished to contribute to the celebration of this anniversary. ISL / ISMM then donated to CAF, through its representative, President Issa Hayatou, the sum referred to above.

He said “through a series of documents attesting to both the reason for this disbursement and also the identity of the beneficiary, CAF has provided evidence and explanations relating to the payment.

But the IOC Executive Board considers “the documents produced by the beneficiary, established long after the receipt of funds, did not provide assurance that the funds were actually transferred into the accounts of CAF.” It considers ”that personally accepting such a sum of money in these circumstances constitutes a conflict of interest.”

However, CAF insisted that “President Hayatou never received the said sum for his personal account and could not, therefore, use it for personal needs. No conflict of interest, therefore, can be charged against him. It is recalled that the general principle of law, which is binding on all, provides that the accused should be given the benefit of doubt.

Camara said in disappointment, “CAF regrets that all documents and evidence provided were not considered, even as its Executive Committee had approved the donation as recorded in its minutes. Rejecting all these documents demonstrate disrespect and a lack of consideration of the IOC towards the Pan-African institution.”