Caf boss probes Hayatou’s TV deal
THE Confederation of African Football’s new president, Ahmad Ahmad, has said he has asked experts to investigate a controversial contract signed by his predecessor that sold off the body’s global television rights to a French company for 12 years.
Ahmad‚ in Johannesburg to meet with his regional confederation‚ Cosafa‚ following his dramatic victory over 28-year president Issa Hayatou at Caf’s congress in Ethiopia last month‚ promised never to enter into such a long contract.
He said he has experts investigating the contract signed by the previous administration selling Caf’s worldwide TV rights from 2017 to 2028 to French media company Lagardere Sports for $1-billion (R13.7-billion).
Caf has been referred for prosecution in Egypt by that country’s competition authority in relation to the contract.
“The contract was signed by the previous Caf [administration]. Right now there are court proceedings against this contract‚” said Ahmad. “We just got elected. “I have now put the technical people to [work to] look into this contract. There are people who are specialised in TV and marketing to study this case about the contract.
“We took a decision after a discussion with the previous generalsecretary [Hicham El Amrani]‚ and we did that just to protect the Confederation of African football if there is any wrongdoing.
“This is why the previous secretary-general left office‚ and we agreed to it.
“Now we are living in an environment where there must have transparency and democracy‚ and we have to ensure that the new Caf follows up on everything that is not along with transparency and democracy.
“This is why I’m waiting for analysis to come back to me before I take any decision,” said Ahmad.
“Everyone is completely agreed that it is not a good contract and not good for African football.
“Right now I can guarantee you that I will never sign any long contract regarding Caf.”