FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter has arrived Yaounde ahead of the burial of Marc Vivien Foe tomorrow, Monday 7 July. The Cameroonian international midfielder collapsed during the Confederations Cup semi final game between Cameroon and Colombia on 26 June in Lyon France and died shortly after the game.
FIFA president who was in Lyon to present his condolences to Foe’s family and the Cameroon team, the Indomitable Lions thought it proper to follow the corpse to Yaounde and be part of the national and international personalities to take the fallen hero to his last resting place.
On arrival at the Yaounde Nsimalen international airport, Blatter said : « It is with profound sadness that I am returning to this country. I would have loved to be here in other circumstances other than this sad one.
« We’ll continue to accompany this great player to his eternal resting place. ».
On what FIFA will do to immortalise Foe, Blatter answered : « Definitely his (Foe’s) name will be linked to the competition in which the tragedy occurred. We’ll look for the best way to immortalise this player who has played many FIFA competitions ».
Blatter said he was happy with the welcome ceremony the Cameroonain football and state authorities organised for him.
The FIFA president is accompanied by CAF president, Issa Hayatou, CAF executive committee member, Ahmadou Diakite (Mali), Gerard Herault, the general manager of the French football federation and Walter Gagg, FIFA’s director of technical matters, stadia and security.
Martin Etonge
