The IOC member was named by the programme as one of FIFA’s high-ranked officials who allegedly received kickbacks from defunct agency International Sports and Leisure (ISL) in exchange for lucrative deals.
Hayatou rebutted the allegations, saying the money was for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), of which he is the president, and threatened to file legal action against the BBC.
“This was for the 40th anniversary of CAF. At that time ISL was the sponsor of CAF and they gave the money to CAF and not to me, and the executive committee of CAF accepted it and approved it,” Hayatou said.
Earlier yesterday, FIFA dismissed Panorama’s claims, pointing to a past investigation into the case by the authorities in Switzerland, where sports organisations are exempted from anti-corruption laws, that has not convicted any FIFA officials.
