Dr. Patrice Motsepe, in an interview with our colleagues at France 24, addressed the ongoing investigation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) into Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has just granted a major interview to our colleagues at France 24. In the exchange, he addressed the accusations made by the president of the Cameroonian federation and former star Samuel Eto’o, who claimed that CAF was defaming him through an investigation into match-fixing. “No one, starting with myself, is above the law,” declares the president, stating that the investigation is being conducted according to CAF rules and with respect for the presumption of innocence.
“We must consider these allegations not only regarding Samuel Eto’o,” he says, “but in relation to others, and the critical aspect is that from CAF’s perspective, ‘we must investigate every complaint, every accusation, and every allegation. We must do so ethically in accordance with global principles, namely the presumption of innocence. No one, myself included as president of CAF, is above the law,” he continued.
“I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved as a footballer.”
It is learned from a well-informed source that Samuel Eto’o has been interviewed by the Confederation of African Football. According to Patrice Motsepe, the decisions of the investigation will be made in accordance with proper procedures. “I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved as a footballer, but no one should be above the law, myself included; this is not just about African football, but about ethics in football. The decision must be made in accordance with the laws of CAF and FIFA,” he continued.
As a reminder, Samuel Eto’o was questioned on April 17, 2024, at the CAF headquarters in Cairo. This was regarding a murky corruption case in the Cameroonian championship. Specifically, the retired player is suspected of facilitating the promotion of certain teams from the Cameroonian Elite Two (Second Division) to the Elite One (First Division). Suspicions focus particularly on Victoria United Football Club, the champion of the 2022-2023 season, whose president, Valentin Nkwain, is a close associate of Samuel Eto’o. In a statement issued on August 9, 2023, CAF announced the opening of an investigation after being alerted by various stakeholders in Cameroonian football.
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