Gaddafi now supports Hayatou

Al-Saadi Gaddafi has confirmed that he will throw his weight behind Issa Hayatou in his bid to retain the leadership of African football.

The controversial son of the Libyan leader dropped out of the race to unseat Hayatou as Caf president earlier this month, saying he wanted to concentrate on his playing career in Italy instead.

He told a weekly Emirate Sport Magazine 'Super' that he will back the Cameroonian in his battle against Botswana's Ismail Bhamjee.

The Caf elections are due to take place in Tunisia early next year.

Hayatou has led Africa's football authority since 1988 and will be seeking another four-year term.

When Gaddafi launched his Caf presidential campaign in May, he claimed to have the support of at least 30 African countries.

But he abandoned his bid to become the youngest Caf president in history when he joined Serie A side Perugia.