*AA* Blatter writes to Hayatou

Blatter writes to Hayatou
(FIFA.com) Saturday 9 January 2010
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The day after the tragic incident involving the Togo national team, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter wrote to African Football Confederation (CAF) President, Isaa Hayatou.

Below is a transcript of that letter:

Dear President Hayatou,

Following the tragic incident involving the national team of one of the member associations of FIFA and CAF just hours before the kick-off of the African Football Confederation's leading competition, the CAF African Cup of Nations, I wish to convey my wholehearted support, along with that of the international football family.

My thoughts, and those of everyone at FIFA, go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and to their families and loved ones.

This awful event cannot dispel the fact that Africa has written some of the greatest chapters in the history of world football. Africa is the birthplace of some of the greatest players ever to have graced the game. The continent will soon play host to the FIFA World Cup for the very first time, as is its due. I have faith in Africa, and it is with this faith that together we will organise world football's showcase event in 2010.

We stand alongside you at this particularly painful time and reiterate our friendship.

Kindest regards,