Football Legend Eto'o Under Scrutiny Over Massive Alleged Russia Payment Scandal
Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o is under fresh scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities concerning a €567,000 payment from a 2023 friendly match with Russia. The Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon is demanding an investigation into the funds, which were reportedly deposited into an account not registered to FECAFOOT. Eto’o has denied the allegations, dismissing them as a campaign against him.
Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), is currently facing renewed scrutiny following allegations regarding a substantial payment. The focus of these allegations is a sum of approximately €567,000, which is reportedly linked to a friendly football match played between Cameroon and Russia in October 2023.
The Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) has taken a strong stance on the matter, publicly calling for a thorough investigation into FECAFOOT and its president. The association's demand comes after reports emerged detailing alleged financial irregularities surrounding the friendly fixture. Specifically, ACFAC claims that the Russian Football Union (RFU) transferred the aforementioned sum, equivalent to about $654,000, into a bank account that was not officially registered to the Cameroonian federation.
Further reports, based on documents reviewed by The Times, suggest that these funds were allegedly deposited into an account held in Samuel Eto’o’s personal name at the Qatar National Bank in Doha. This revelation has prompted former FECAFOOT officials to raise critical questions about the ultimate destination of the money, specifically whether it was subsequently transferred to the federation or accurately recorded within its official accounts.
In response to these serious accusations, Samuel Eto’o has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Reports indicate that he has described the claims as part of an orchestrated campaign against him, aiming to discredit his leadership. As of now, the Cameroon Football Federation itself has not provided a detailed public response to these latest allegations, maintaining a level of silence on the specifics of the financial transfers.
This development occurs shortly after Eto’o publicly voiced his support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, defending him against criticism regarding a proposed commercialisation plan and stating that Infantino had "committed no wrongdoing." It is important to note that the current financial allegations are distinct and separate from any previous disciplinary matters that Eto’o has faced during his tenure as FECAFOOT president, a role he has held since 2021.