Samuel Eto’o and CAF are embroiled in a new episode. The legend of Cameroonian football is once again implicated in a matter that could potentially weigh heavily on him within the African football governing body. An investigation is underway against him, at a time when he is “fighting” against the MINSEP.
On May 26, 2023, Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), signed a partnership contract with the sports betting company 1XBet. This decision immediately sparked controversy, especially after Rigobert Song’s contract with the same company was not renewed. Eto’o justified his choice by stating, “I am the president of Fecafoot, yes, but here [at 1XBet], it’s the image of Samuel Eto’o.”
🔵 OFFICIEL : Samuel Eto’o, président de la FECAFOOT, est le nouvel ambassadeur de l'entreprise de paris sportifs 1Xbet. Contrat de 2 ans. 💰🇨🇲
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) May 26, 2023
« Je suis président de la FECAFOOT oui, mais ici [1xbet, ndlr] c'est l'image de Samuel Eto'o. »
[via @cfootcameroun] pic.twitter.com/uxKpQ2noO3
However, this initiative was quickly criticized for its potential conflict with FIFA’s ethical code, which clearly states that any FIFA official, including federation presidents, must not engage, directly or indirectly, in betting or gambling activities related to football. Article 27 of FIFA’s Code of Ethics specifies: “Persons bound by this Code shall not take part – directly or indirectly – in betting, gambling, lotteries, and similar events or transactions connected with football competitions and matches and/or any football-related activities.” The Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently launched an investigation to determine if Samuel Eto’o had violated these rules.
This investigation relied on a bailiff’s report conducted by Me Tchimdou Mekiage Micheline, which identified several Facebook posts on Samuel Eto’o’s official page promoting 1XBet after the sponsorship contract was signed.*
During the investigation, Me Tchimdou Mekiage Micheline was questioned in Cairo by CAF investigators. She confirmed the accuracy of the findings in the minutes of observation, thereby strengthening the legal basis of the inquiry. In response to mounting controversy, Samuel Eto’o deleted all posts related to 1XBet from his Facebook page. Is this action an implicit admission of guilt or a precautionary measure pending the investigation’s conclusion?
Samuel Eto’o faces criticism in Cameroon
Samuel Eto’o will soon learn his fate amid ongoing turmoil in Cameroon. Due to the conflict between the Ministry of Sports and Fecafoot, Cameroon’s national team began its latest gathering, the first under Marc Brys, under highly unusual circumstances. “It’s unprecedented. I’ve been in this profession for 26 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Brys criticized.
Former Marseille player Joseph Antoine Bell echoed the criticism by openly condemning Fecafoot: “This situation reminded me of scenes we often experienced as kids: not everyone in the neighborhood is wealthy, someone owns the ball. They provide the ball for us to play, but since they’re not a good player, we don’t pick them. They threaten to take away the ball.”
Joseph Antoine Bell continued to directly criticize Samuel Eto’o’s policies: “When you consistently act against the players’ balance, against the team’s balance, why were you elected in the first place? Today, the question you should be asking yourself is what is the ultimate goal?” These remarks highlight concerns about Samuel Eto’o’s leadership, accused of not acting in the national team’s best interests, exemplified by recent pressure tactics following the victory over Cape Verde (4-1).
Leave a Reply