Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has rejected allegations of embezzlement involving more than €560,000, describing the claims as part of a smear campaign against him.
Eto’o is accused of receiving the funds from Russia following a friendly international match between Cameroon and Russia in October 2023.
According to The Times, the money was reportedly transferred to a personal bank account belonging to Eto’o, who heads Cameroon’s football governing body. Former federation officials allegedly said they could not find accounting or banking records indicating that the funds were subsequently transferred to the federation.
The former officials reportedly referred the matter to FIFA’s Ethics Committee more than a year ago, but said they had yet to receive a response.
FIFA has denied allegations of political influence over its judicial bodies, while the Cameroon Football Federation has not publicly commented on the claims.
Eto’o, however, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the former Barcelona and Cameroon striker said the allegations followed his decision to speak out in defence of Cameroon’s interests and those of Africa.
He accused his critics of using journalists he said were aligned with them to repeatedly circulate what he described as the same allegations.
According to Eto’o, the attacks were evidence of the campaign he had previously warned against.
The four-time African Footballer of the Year also defended the right of Africans to express their opinions and stand by their convictions.
He said African football should similarly have the freedom to defend its interests and make decisions independently.
The allegations come as Eto’o continues to lead the Cameroon Football Federation, where his tenure has been marked by both footballing achievements and controversies surrounding the administration of the sport in the country.
