Samuel Eto’o accused of match-fixing in Cameroon

Cameroonian football icon, Samuel Eto’o, who currently holds the position of president at the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been embroiled in a match-fixing controversy.

Allegations have surfaced that he promised to facilitate the promotion of second division club Victoria United by manipulating match outcomes.

The promotion of Victoria United led to the exclusion of Stade de Bertoua, the previous season’s runner-up, as deemed ineligible by the federation.

Recordings have emerged, suggesting that Eto’o engaged in discussions with Valentine Gwain, Victoria’s president, where he proposed employing referees’ manipulation to secure the team’s promotion.

In the recordings, Eto’o can be heard expressing his willingness to take discreet actions, stressing the importance of working through the Cameroonian referee’s association president to influence match decisions.

The conversation reportedly occurred after Victoria United’s 1-0 loss in December 2022, where Gwain complained about the officiating during the game.

Eto’o: ‘There are things we can do, but you have to be very discreet, brother. I haven’t even had time to get home yet. I’m out, bro. I haven’t had time to get home and work with the president (of the Cameroonian referee’s association) because I can’t call the refs directly and tell them to be careful. But I can work with the president.’

Eto’o seemed determined to ensure Victoria United’s promotion, emphasizing that it was their objective as a club. He discussed the significance of maintaining a favorable relationship with the league president, who held the power to suspend even the president of the referees, thereby impacting match outcomes.

Eto’o: ‘Opopo (Victoria United’s nickname) must go up to the first division. This is our goal (…) This is our Federation. Victoria United will go up. Stay calm, we will grant you the three points and we suspend the referee. But let me at least go back to Cameroon. He arrived on the 3rd (January) at night. So we’ll see you in the office on the 4th. Anyway, I’m going to rule out and disqualify this referee’.

Eto’o went on to explain the importance of having a good relationship with the president of the league.

Eto’o: ‘He has the power. From there, he with his commissions will be able to suspend even the president of the referees. Our club, Opopo, must go up to the first division, that is our objective.’

As a revered figure in football, with stints at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, Eto’o’s reputation now faces scrutiny due to these serious allegations.

With 56 goals in 114 appearances for Cameroon, his legacy as a football icon hangs in the balance. Elected as Fecafoot’s president in December 2021, Eto’o’s involvement in match-fixing would have far-reaching consequences on both his career and the integrity of Cameroonian football.

Eto’o, who also played for Inter Milan and Chelsea, scored 56 goals in 114 caps for Cameroon.

He was elected as the president of Fecafoot in December 2021.