On August 13, 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced an investigation into Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), for “alleged inappropriate conduct” based on complaints from Cameroonian football stakeholders. CAF described the allegations as “serious” but did not specify details, stating Eto’o is presumed innocent until a judicial body rules otherwise. The probe, ongoing as of August 2025, follows a series of controversies during Eto’o’s tenure since December 2021, which critics claim lacks accountability and is marred by scandal.
Match-Fixing and Corruption Allegations
In July 2023, an association of Cameroonian amateur clubs filed complaints with FECAFOOT, CAF, and FIFA, accusing Eto’o of match-fixing, aggravated corruption, and spreading false information. A leaked audio from July 18, 2023, allegedly captured Eto’o promising to manipulate matches to promote Victoria United, a second-tier club, to the top division. Both Eto’o and the club’s president, Valentine Nkwain, denied the audio’s authenticity. Cameroon police opened an investigation into “abuse of authority and corruption” in September 2023, interviewing key witnesses, but CAF’s July 2024 ruling found insufficient evidence to prove match-fixing.
Ethics Violation and Betting Controversy
CAF’s Disciplinary Board, in July 2024, fined Eto’o $200,000 for violating ethics by signing a brand ambassador contract with betting company 1XBet, deemed a breach of CAF’s principles of integrity and sportsmanship, as FIFA’s ethics code prohibits officials’ involvement in betting. Eto’o’s lawyers successfully appealed the fine in February 2025, arguing CAF’s independent ethics committee lacked jurisdiction, with the case now under review at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The betting deal also sparked domestic criticism, with clubs questioning its compliance with FECAFOOT’s codes.
Management Style and Player Disputes
Eto’o’s leadership has drawn accusations of authoritarianism and favoritism. Former FECAFOOT vice-president Henry Njalla Quan, in a June 2023 letter, criticized Eto’o for “no transparency” in financial operations and “abusive” contract terminations, notably with equipment supplier Le Coq Sportif, leading to legal disputes. Quan, later suspended by Eto’o, also alleged Eto’o ended goalkeeper Andre Onana’s international career after a 2022 World Cup dispute, with Eto’o reportedly stating, “Onana’s international career was over.” Eto’o’s solitary decision-making, including rejecting the state-appointed coach Marc Brys in 2024, fueled tensions with Cameroon’s sports ministry.
Broader Implications and Eto’o’s Legacy
Eto’o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year and Cameroon’s record goalscorer, faces a tarnished reputation as FECAFOOT president. His tenure, marked by a 2022 tax fraud conviction in Spain and a six-match ban from Cameroon games in 2024, has drawn scrutiny from FIFA and CAF ethics bodies. The ongoing CAS appeal and Cameroon police investigations keep Eto’o’s future uncertain, with critics like Quan and former players accusing him of undermining Cameroonian football’s progress. Despite his denial of wrongdoing, the controversies risk overshadowing his storied playing career, with potential sanctions threatening his eligibility for CAF’s executive committee elections.
