My conscience is clear - Hayatou

Issa Hayatou defended himself for the first time, categorically denying any involvement in the recent corruption scandals that shook the International Football Federation (FIFA).

"I'm not afraid of anything because I did not do anything. My conscience is clear," said the president of the Confederation of African football (CAF) and Vice President of FIFA to the weekly Jeune Afrique.

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) says he never touched a pot of wine in the award of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Reacting to charges of Phaedra Almajid, former employee of the department which was mentioned by name, Hayatou said they had never met.

"I've never seen the woman in my life. She claimed we met with people of Qatar in a hotel in Angola. Where? When? She said it once, and then she admitted that she had lied. A year later she renewed her accusations. She says anything! She is asked to give evidence and she had none."

The Cameroonian also denied that the vote that enabled South Africa to host the World Cup in 2010 was rigged.

South Africa is accused of providing $ 10 million in bribes to ensure the privilege of organizing the 2010 World Cup.

The South African government defended itself by stating that it was to support Caribbean football.

Swiss and US authorities are investigating suspicions of corruption regarding the process of designation of Qatar and Russia for 2018 and 2022 editions of the World Cup.

A US court has indicted 14 people last week for corruption, racketeering and money laundering. Bribes and commissions are estimated at more than $ 150 million over 24 years.