• FECAFOOT Executive Files Explosive Complaint

Story, Sa’ah Siona Ikei

Yaoundé – Samuel Eto’o, the celebrated former footballer and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), is facing a serious corruption probe after a member of his own executive committee filed a formal complaint accusing him of embezzlement. The allegations center around a substantial sum of €455,000 (approximately 300 million FCFA) intended for the federation, which allegedly landed in Eto’o’s personal account.

Guibai Gatama, a vocal member of FECAFOOT’s executive board, has taken the extraordinary step of lodging an official complaint with the federation’s Ethics Committee, naming Eto’o, along with two former FECAFOOT officials, Benoît Angbwa and Blaise Djounang, as implicated in the alleged scheme. The complaint cites violations of FECAFOOT’s Code of Ethics, specifically related to corruption, embezzlement, and complicity in misappropriation.

The heart of the matter revolves around funds transferred by the Russian Football Union (RFU) in connection with a friendly match between Cameroon and Russia held in Moscow on October 12, 2023. According to internal FECAFOOT documents and media reports, the RFU transferred €455,000. However, instead of being deposited into FECAFOOT’s official coffers, the money allegedly ended up in a private account belonging to Samuel Eto’o.

Gatama’s complaint alleges that this transfer was facilitated with the knowledge and assistance of Angbwa and Djounang. He has reportedly submitted a copy of the transfer order, allegedly signed by Djounang, along with confirmation of receipt from the RFU, as evidence to support his claims.

“The funds of the Federation cannot and must not be treated as the personal property of any individual, regardless of their status,” Gatama stated, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability within FECAFOOT. He has vowed to keep the public informed as the Ethics Commission’s investigation progresses.

This latest controversy adds fuel to the already intense scrutiny surrounding Eto’o’s leadership of FECAFOOT. The allegations threaten to further tarnish the reputation of the federation and raise serious questions about the management of its financial resources. As the Ethics Committee begins its investigation, the future of Eto’o’s presidency hangs in the balance, casting a long shadow over Cameroonian football.

Once again, the president of FECAFOOT finds himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.