After hearing on match fixing allegations: CAF President hints on possible sanctions on Eto’o.

Composite photo of CAF boss & FECAFOOT president

The President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has hinted on possible sanctions on the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o Fils, following allegations of match-fixing.

The CAF supremo made the declaration during an exclusive interview he granted the French state-owned international news television network, France 24.

The 12:29-minutes interview, x-rayed several issues, including the success of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Côte d’Ivoire, the prospect of an African nation winning the FIFA World Cup, governance and his future at the helm of CAF. 

However, one of the focal points of the discussion was about the controversy around FECAFOOT boss, Samuel Eto’o Fils.

During the exchange, Motsepe opened up on the match-fixing investigation against former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan UEFA treble winner, Eto’o Fils. 

The Cameroon FA boss was recently heard by the Disciplinary Committee of the African regulatory football body last week, but his fate is yet to be known.

Speaking during the interview, Motsepe began by showering praises on Samuel Eto’o, for what he described as his extraordinary feat as a footballer. 

The CAF boss, however, indicated that although Eto’o remains an undisputed revered figure in African and world soccer, he is not “above the law”. 

“Samuel Eto’o, in my opinion, will always be a football player who we are very proud of and amongst the most talented. And I will continue to be proud of what he achieved on the pitch,” Dr Motsepe said. 

He indicated that CAF remained steadfast in its commitment to uncovering the truth and upholding the rule of law. 

“From the point of view of the Confederation of African Football, we have to investigate every complaint, accusation and allegations. We have to do this in an ethical manner in conformity with global principles- that is the presumption of innocence. It is not only about football. It is also about what is going on in Africa and other parts of the world. Nobody, not even the President of CAF, is above the law,” the CAF boss stated.

The South African business mogul went further to explain that despite the organisation’s resolve, the presumption of innocence remains one of the cornerstones of their approach, in the ongoing investigation against the Cameroon  FA boss.

It is the first time that CAF has openly commented on the investigation on Samuel Eto’o, over alleged match-fixing. 

The recent outing of Patrice Motsepe has sparked a wave of reactions among football pundits in the country. 

While some of them have been quick to establish that the FECAFOOT boss could be slammed with a heavy sanction at the end of the investigations, others believe that Eto’o, whom they say is undaunted by the allegations, would eventually walk away a free man.

It is worthy to mention that CAF had summoned Samuel Eto’o on April 17, at the institution's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, to answer questions of match-fixing.

Reports have, however, emerged that Eto’o, who at the time was involved in the funeral of his father, did not personally attend the hearing. It is reported that Eto’o sent a written submission.

According to a publication by Africa Intelligence, released on Thursday April 11, Eto’o is “suspected of having favoured the promotion of certain teams from the Cameroonian Elite Two (League 2) into the First Division, Elite One. 

The suspicions relate to Victoria United Football Club, champions of the season 2022-2023, which president, Valentin Nkwain, is close to Samuel Eto'o”.

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