I cannot be a candidate for FIFA - Issa Hayatou

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was supportive and loyal to President Joseph Sepp Blatter even into the hours that followed his resignation from FIFA on Tuesday.

Issa Hayatou who voted in Switzerland on Friday during his re-election in Zurich immediately reacted to his resignation on the waves of France24, and took the opportunity to give his position on the vacant position of president of the supreme body of world football.

Hayatou who contested against Blatter in 2002 is not willing to contest for the position even though Blatter is absent.

On his application to FIFA

My age no longer allows me to run. I am 69 years. Blatter is ten years older than me. I cannot afford to stand at the moment or the rest of my life, at least at FIFA.

On the resignation of Blatter

Who can accept that there is corruption somewhere? In any case, as pointed out by the FIFA president, he'll have a repeat as Fifa president which is accepted by everyone. One of the reasons he advanced was that he was not supported by the whole world of football. And in my opinion, all the measures he has advanced; term limits etc. all these measures he has announced are welcome. I absolutely agree that he can really organize all this before leaving.

Profile of the next president

In any case, Africa is an entity. Whoever the successor will be, he will have to deal with Africa, he cannot do otherwise. But I say that Mr. Blatter, in our case, has done much for Africa, like the rest of the world beyond. We cannot say that he has supported only small federations. All he has given is a fair chance; large or small, he always distributed the same benefits to all 209 national associations. But whoever comes, I hope is someone who is aware and knows football and can accommodate the entire fraternity.

This is what Mr Blatter expressed regret about and subsequently chose to resign; he said that the whole of the footballing body, players, referees alike were not in favour of his re-election. He noted the consequences and resigned.

Whoever will come I believe will take umbrage at everything he said to be able to cope. But in our case, Confederation of African Football (CAF) we are 54 countries, almost as UEFA which also has 54 countries, nobody can ignore Africa. Even if he cannot deal with us, he will take into account the fact that we are there.