I have never been bothered nor interrogated - Issa Hayatou

From Zurich via Paris, the President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou touched down in Yaounde on June 1, 2015 where he spoke to the national media CRTV and Cameroon Tribune.

The senior vice president of FIFA, who was just returning from the FIFA Congress, expressed for the first time his sentiments surrounding the events that ensued during the conference.

Q: Mr. President, welcome to Yaounde. Some critics announced that you were forbidden to leave the Swiss territory. How did you manage to leave the country?

I heard about that news this morning in Paris when Rfi reported that I was detained in Switzerland.

I have to say that since May 27 when Swiss police entered our hotel, I was never bothered by anyone neither the political nor judicial authorities and even the police.

I was there for a programme and I attended without any questioning. But to my surprise, I heard that I was detained and banned from leaving Switzerland after the police had picked me up and interrogated me for nine hours. No one interrogated me.

Q: We understand you are a prime suspect to provide information on the network of corruption at FIFA...

When someone is corrupt will he ask me to denounce it? These are stories to indicate that I am corrupt and it doesn't surprise me. I have been accused for 20 years especially by the French and Cameroonian media. These are the issues reported by the media about me and it doesn't really matter. That is life.

Q: What were the issues that came out of the Fifa congress?

If I say it was perfect I will be wrong because when you go to bed and about 10 of you are picked up, then there is an issue. I cannot say Fifa is not shaken but it is united. The proof that the congress went well is that we elected a president and all formalities required were observed and nothing happened aside the Americans who invaded the congress when they could have arrested those they wanted on American soil. It surprises everyone and we believe there is a reason.

Q: Why does Africa support President Blatter?

There were only two candidates and we believe that Blatter is more qualified with experience. The other candidate has wits and is noble, but valor cannot be paired with experience. He is 39 years old and does not know the rules of the house well like Sepp Blatter who has supported the African continent immensely.

The hosting of the 2010 World Cup and various courses organised with the various sports facilities built, the continent had to join his cause.

Contrary to the popular belief, the money Fifa gives national associations is the same for all including the richest Germany. I am the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Fifa and also the Development Commission therefore I say on authority that the share is equal. The fact that all federations have the same sum angers them because they believe more money should be given to more important federations and Africa is very aware of this.

Blatter sees to it that our football and infrastructure develops therefore we support him contrary to what they say.

Q: Why did the Jordanian candidate withdraw?

There was a difference of 60 votes in the first round and from that moment he drew conclusions. If he stayed, he would no longer get the 73 votes he had in the first round. People will be realistic and go on the winning side.

He held meetings with his supporters and then announced that he had withdrawn. This we believe is a thoughtful and fair decision.

On another topic, will the time granted Cameroon to be able to organize the Female Afcon, be enough to get the country ready?

We agreed to what Cameroon had asked us and I understand some media are criticizing the decision because we rejected Morocco's offer. How can we compare the great CAF Africa Cup of Nations which the feminine is 95% dependent on without any sponsor?

Cameroon appealed with a good reason including the rainfall pattern of the area where the stadiums are situated. We must not confuse the U17, U20 and Women championships with the AFCON. We can never accept a postponement.

Even the Moroccans requested for more than a year postponement and Africa will be affected because asking us to postpone means we have only a month to prepare for the FIFA Club World Championship. There is no comparison between the Afcon and the Women's Afcon that will be held here in Cameroon.