Police in Cameroon have launched an investigation into former football striker Samuel Eto’o following allegations of his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Eto’o, who has been serving as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) since December 2021, has denied any involvement in fixing matches in the country’s second tier.
The accusations against Eto’o surfaced after a recording of a conversation between him and Valentine Nkwain, the president of Victoria United, was made public. In the recording, Eto’o allegedly promised to manipulate matches to ensure Victoria United’s promotion from the second division. However, both Eto’o and Nkwain have denied the authenticity of the recording, with Nkwain stating that it was not his voice.
The police have confirmed that they are investigating the allegations of “abuse of authority and corruption” and have interviewed several key witnesses involved in the case. The investigation will also examine broader claims of corruption within Fecafoot during Eto’o’s tenure, potentially involving up to 40 individuals.
According to the recording, Eto’o allegedly discussed manipulating a game in which Victoria United lost 1-0 in December of the previous year. He is heard saying, “there are things we can do,” and assuring Nkwain that they would give Victoria United the three points and suspend the referee. Eto’o allegedly expressed his goal of promoting Victoria United to the first division, stating, “Opopo [Victoria’s nickname] must go up to the first division. This is our goal. This is our federation. Victoria United will go up.” Victoria United was eventually promoted in April.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in June, Eto’o explained that he was merely speaking to a friend who wanted to invest in football and improve his club’s standing in Cameroon. He claimed to have reassured his friend that he would do everything possible to prevent any refereeing errors against him.
This investigation comes after a group of Cameroonian football officials called on FIFA to take action against Eto’o following a series of public incidents, including a “violent altercation” with an Algerian journalist during the World Cup in Qatar last year. The officials have jointly written a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, questioning how Eto’o has been allowed to continue in his role as Fecafoot president.
CAF had previously opened an investigation into Eto’o’s alleged misconduct but has not taken any action thus far. The Cameroonian officials expressed their disappointment with FIFA’s silence on the matter, stating that it undermines public confidence in sporting ethics and the integrity of matches.
The letter also criticized Infantino for his recent meeting with Eto’o in France to discuss football development, suggesting that Africa is treated differently when it comes to ethical standards in sports leadership.
The investigation into Samuel Eto’o’s alleged match-fixing involvement and the wider corruption allegations within Fecafoot will be closely monitored by football authorities and fans alike. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for Eto’o’s reputation and his future in football administration.