Amr Fahmy, the former general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has died according to media reports in Egypt.

Fahmy reportedly died on Sunday at the age of 36 following a long battle with cancer the reports said.

The Egyptian had just turned 37 years.

He was appointed as the secretary-general of Africa’s football governing body in 2017 replacing Moroccan Hicham El Amrani.

Fahmy was the third generation of his family to occupy that position following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

He, however, lost the position after he was fired in 2019 following a falling out with CAF President Ahmad Ahmad.

Fahmy had blown the lid on suspicious financial dealings in CAF and accused Ahmad of misusing FIFA funds and signing off on shady procurement deals.

Ahmad was arrested by French authorities on the strength of the allegations but was eventually released without charge.

However, fallouts from the allegations led to an unprecedented move which saw FIFA take over the running of CAF for six-months with FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura seconded as “general delegate” for Africa in charge of CAF.

A recently released PWC audit of CAF’s processes following the end of Samoura’s tenure found severe shortcomings and possible financial fraud in CAF financial dealings.

Fahmy was replaced as secretary-general by Moroccan Mouad Hajji and announced his intention to run for the CAF presidency in next elections in 2021.

“It is with a great deal of sadness and emotions that we received the shock news,” CAF said in a statement carried on its website.

“On behalf of CAF, we extend our deepest condolences to his family especially his parents, his spouse and daughter.

“Our thoughts are with you at this difficult moment, and may God have mercy on his soul.”

Prior to his appointment as CAF secretary-general, Fahmy also worked with the CAF Competitions Division between 2007 and 2015 and was the director of the Africa Cup Nations, the continent’s flagship tournament.