Samuel Eto’o faces probe call over alleged Russia payment
Samuel Eto’o faces probe call over alleged Russia payment
Samuel Eto’o is facing calls for an investigation in Cameroon after the Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) raised concerns over an alleged €567,000 payment linked to the 2023 friendly between Cameroon and Russia.
The allegations centre on claims that money intended for the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) was transferred to a bank account that, according to reports, was held in Eto’o’s name.
ACFAC has called for the matter to be investigated and announced plans to pursue legal action in Cameroon and Russia.
The allegations have not been established by a court.
Samuel Eto’o linked to disputed Russia payment
The controversy relates to Cameroon’s friendly against Russia in Moscow on October 12, 2023.
According to AFP, ACFAC says the Russian Football Union allegedly breached its agreement with FECAFOOT by transferring around €567,000 into an account that did not belong to the federation.
The figure reported by AFP is approximately €567,000, while separate reporting has put the precise amount at €567,570.
Reports based on documents reviewed in the case say the payment was connected to the appearance fee for Cameroon’s participation in the friendly.
The issue now being raised by ACFAC is not simply whether Russia paid for the fixture, but where the money was sent and how it was subsequently accounted for.
# The Cameroonian faces legal action threat
ACFAC president Abdouraman Hamadou Baba has announced that the association intends to take the matter to court.
AFP reports that ACFAC plans to file a lawsuit against Samuel Eto’o in Cameroon, while also pursuing a separate legal complaint against the Russian Football Union in Russia.
Baba has been outspoken about the alleged transfer.
In comments reported by Camer.be, he said: “You cannot ask or have money transferred into a personal account in execution of a contract.”
He also said ACFAC would pursue the Russian football authorities over the payment.
The association has said the legal action is intended to establish what happened to the funds and determine whether the transactions complied with the agreement between the two football federations.
The allegations against AFCON golden boot winner remains unproven
The claims against Eto’o should be distinguished from established findings.
No court has ruled that Eto’o misappropriated the money, and the current reports concern allegations and calls for investigation.
Al Jazeera, reporting on the allegations separately, said former FECAFOOT executives accused Eto’o of redirecting more than €567,000 in appearance fees into a personal account. The report also said Eto’o denies the allegations.
The alleged payment has attracted attention because the money was reportedly connected to an official international fixture involving Cameroon’s national team.
The destination of the funds, rather than the existence of the friendly itself, is at the centre of the dispute.
Samuel Eto’o and FECAFOOT under scrutiny
Eto’o has served as president of FECAFOOT since 2021 after winning the federation’s presidential election.
His administration has faced several disputes during his tenure, including disagreements with former federation officials.
The latest controversy follows reports from international and Cameroonian media concerning documents relating to the Russia-Cameroon agreement.
Camfoot, in reporting on documents it said it reviewed, reported that the contract for the match specified a payment of €567,570 to FECAFOOT but contained banking details identifying an account in the name of Samuel Eto’o at Qatar National Bank in Doha.
Those claims form part of the material that has prompted calls for further scrutiny.
The AFCON winner previously backed Infantino
The Russia payment allegations have also emerged shortly after Eto’o publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Last month, Eto’o said Infantino “hasn’t done anything wrong” while backing the FIFA president amid pressure surrounding a controversial World Cup-related commercial proposal.
https://today-prod.rtl.lu/news/world/etoo-urges-support-for-embattled-fifa-president-infantino-887527095?utm_
The statement was reported by AFP and reproduced by multiple international outlets.
Eto’o has also previously praised Infantino’s contribution to African football.
The comments are separate from the Russia payment allegations and do not establish any connection between the two matters.
Samuel Eto’o case awaits investigation
ACFAC’s planned legal action could now determine whether the allegations develop into formal proceedings in Cameroon or Russia.
The association says it wants the circumstances surrounding the payment examined.
The central issue will be whether the funds were properly received and accounted for under the terms of the agreement for the 2023 friendly by FECAFOOT.
Whilst the allegations against Eto’o remain unproven unless an investigation or court process establishes otherwise.
The Russian Football Union has also been named in ACFAC’s proposed legal complaint.
The next significant development will be whether the proposed complaints lead to formal investigations by the relevant authorities.