Eto’o Faces Probe Over Alleged €567,000 Russia Payment

Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o is facing fresh scrutiny over an alleged €567,000 payment linked to a friendly match between Cameroon and Russia in 2023.

The Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) has called for an investigation into the federation and its president following reports of alleged financial irregularities. 

The allegations concern a payment made by the Russian Football Union (RFU) after the two countries met in a friendly in Moscow in October 2023.

According to ACFAC, the RFU allegedly transferred about €567,000 ($654,000) into a bank account that was not registered to the Cameroonian federation, FECAFOOT. The association said it intends to pursue legal action against Eto’o in Cameroon and file a separate complaint in Russia against the RFU. 

Reports based on documents reviewed by The Times allege that the funds were transferred to an account held in Eto’o’s name at Qatar National Bank in Doha. Former FECAFOOT officials have questioned whether the money was subsequently transferred to the federation or recorded in its accounts. 

Eto’o has denied the allegations and described the claims as part of a campaign against him, according to reports. FECAFOOT has not publicly provided a detailed response to the latest allegations. 

The development comes weeks after Eto’o publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino amid criticism of the FIFA chief over a proposed commercialisation plan. Eto’o said Infantino had “committed no wrongdoing” and defended his record. 

The latest allegations are separate from previous disciplinary matters involving Eto’o, who has served as FECAFOOT president since 2021.