Samuel Eto’o responds to allegations of mismanagement of over 500,000 euros from Russia

Facing allegations concerning the management of a payment made by Russia in connection with a friendly match played in 2023, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation has broken his silence.

According to documents cited by several media outlets, two payments of €455,056 and €112,514, made by Russia following the Russia v Cameroon friendly match played in Moscow in October 2023, were allegedly channelled into a personal account held by Samuel Eto’o in Qatar rather than into an official FECAFOOT account. Faced with these accusations, Samuel Eto’o responded on social media, denouncing a media smear campaign.

“All it took was for me to speak out to defend our interests, the interests of Africa, for them all to come out in force. As if by chance, the same attacks, the same talking points, relayed almost simultaneously by journalists who are in their pocket.

“If anyone still had any doubts about the reality of what we are denouncing, here is yet another example. Those who spend their time lecturing us on democracy seem to find it much harder to accept it when an African speaks freely, defends his convictions and refuses to remain silent.

“We have the right to speak out.

“We have the right to defend our interests.

“We have the right to think and make decisions for our football,” wrote Samuel Eto’o.

This controversy comes at a particular time. For several weeks now, Samuel Eto’o has been publicly expressing his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.