Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o is facing fresh scrutiny over a payment of about $658,700 linked to the national team’s 2023 friendly against Russia. This comes amid allegations that the money was transferred into his personal bank account. Moreover, it is being widely discussed as the Eto’o payment controversy.
According to TRT Afrika, the controversy centres on funds paid in connection with Cameroon’s October 2023 friendly in Moscow. Documents first reported by The Times reportedly show two payment requests totalling €567,570, roughly $658,700. These documents are at the heart of the Eto’o payment controversy.
The payments were allegedly directed to an account in Eto’o’s name at Qatar National Bank in Doha. This account is not an official account belonging to the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, which he leads. This development further intensified the Eto’o payment controversy.
Former officials question funds
Former FECAFOOT executives have questioned what happened to the money after the transfer. This makes the Eto’o payment controversy even more relevant.
They claim they have seen no accounting or banking records showing that the funds were subsequently moved into an official federation account. Similarly, there are no records that the money entered into FECAFOOT’s books.
The former officials also said complaints concerning the matter were submitted to FIFA’s Ethics Committee more than a year ago.
FIFA rules do not require its ethics investigators to provide complainants with regular updates. Also, no finding has been announced establishing wrongdoing by Eto’o.
Eto’o rejects criticism
Eto’o has pushed back against the growing criticism. In his response, he portrays the allegations as part of a wider campaign against him because of his outspoken defence of African football.
“It only took me to speak up to defend our interests, the interests of Africa, for them to all be out,” he said.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker also suggested that similar attacks against him were being repeated by different critics.
“Those who spend their time giving us lessons in democracy seem to have much more trouble accepting it when an African speaks freely, defends his convictions and refuses to remain silent,” Eto’o said.
He added: “We have the right to speak. We have the right to defend our interests. We have the right to think and decide for our football.”
Infantino relationship draws attention
The controversy has also renewed scrutiny of Eto’o’s close relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Eto’o has publicly described Infantino as being like a “brother”. He has also remained one of his prominent supporters in African football.
Some former FECAFOOT officials have questioned whether that relationship has affected the handling of complaints involving the federation president.
FIFA maintains that Infantino has no influence over investigations conducted by its independent Ethics Committee.
Eto’o and FECAFOOT have not been found guilty of wrongdoing over the Russia payment. Therefore, the claims surrounding the funds remain allegations.
The latest dispute nevertheless adds to the pressure surrounding Eto’o’s leadership of Cameroonian football. This increase in pressure continues as questions remain over how the match payment was handled.
