President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) Samuel Eto’o, once a celebrated hero of African football, now faces severe legal scrutiny after being summoned by the Special Criminal Court in Cameroon.
The former football icon, who has long been a figure of influence, is accused of embezzling funds during his tenure as president of the Fecafoot.
This legal action stems from a growing controversy that has erupted within the Cameroonian football community, with local clubs leading the charge against Eto’o and Fecafoot.
Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match between Cameroon and Zambia held at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on 03 July 2022 ©Alain Guy Suffo/Sports Inc – Photo by Icon sport
One of the most vocal critics, Justin Tagouh, the former chairman of Bamboutos FC, has pointed the finger directly at Eto’o, accusing him of financial mismanagement and embezzlement.
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Tagouh’s club was the latest to withdraw from the Cameroonian championship, further intensifying the allegations against Eto’o and Fecafoot.
Allegations of Misappropriated Funds
The allegations center around billions of CFA francs that were allocated between 2022 and 2024 to support competitions, referees, and clubs.
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According to Tagouh, these funds were not properly distributed and were instead concealed from club presidents before being misappropriated by Fecafoot.
Samuel Eto’o captained the indomitable lions of Cameroon and racked up 118 caps with 56 goals. Photo Credit: Getty Images
“There was no transparency or accountability,” Tagouh stated, “Fecafoot has failed to explain the use of these public funds, and instead of returning the money, they keep asking for supporting documents, which only delays the process.”
This lack of accountability has sent shockwaves through Cameroonian football, with numerous club officials now pushing for legal action. The scandal has not only rocked Eto’o’s legacy but has also ignited a broader conversation about financial mismanagement within the country’s footballing institutions.
The Cameroon and Barcelona legend is a member of the Confederation of African Football Executive Committee representing the Central African region (UNIFFAC).
