Hayatou pledges to restore trust in FIFA

Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou pledged to restore “public trust” in the scandal-hit world football body on Thursday.

The veteran Cameroonian, 69, who is boss of the African federation, has taken over as interim FIFA chief from Sepp Blatter who has been suspended for 90 days as Swiss prosecutors investigate him for criminal mismanagement.

“It’s certainly an unprecedented situation for FIFA,” said Hayatou on his first full day in the post.

“But we remain focused on the necessary reform process, the presidential election and on supporting the current investigations.

“To restore public trust is a crucial objective. It is essential that FIFA carries on its mission of developing the game and staging international tournaments.”

Hayatou will remain in Zurich until next week, when he will head up the extraordinary executive committee meeting to be staged on Tuesday.