FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has written a letter to the Samoa Football Federation (SFF) upon learning that their President and OFC Executive Committee member, Toetu Petana, passed away at the age of 51 following a short illness.
Petana was elected to the position of SFF President in 2011 following the organisations emergence from normalisation.
The FIFA President said that his contribution to the game would not be forgotten.
“It is with great sadness in my heart that I write to you today, having learned of the passing of your President Toetu Petana,” he wrote.
“On behalf of FIFA and the international football family, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones as well as to the football community of Samoa and the Oceania Football Confederation.”
Toetu served on the FIFA Associations Committee and FIFA Organising Committee for Olympic Football and was also the Treasurer for the OFC.
“We would hope that in some way, our words of support may help to bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.”
Toetu is survived by his wife Telesia and four children.
ZURICH, (OFC)
