Cameroon bowed out of the African Cup after a 2-0 loss in the round of 16 to Nigeria, a result sealed by a decisive double from Ademola Lookman, the attacker from Atalanta. The defeat left the nation and a broad fan base stunned, including longtime football icon Samuel Eto’o, who has spent years shaping the game in his homeland.
Former star Eto’o, who previously wore the colors of Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter, remains at the helm of the Cameroon Football Federation. According to the latest reporting published by The Athletic, there are developments that could shift the federation’s leadership in the near future.
The Athletic claims to have reviewed a wide range of documents, messages and audio recordings obtained through a former executive of the Cameroonian federation, detailing a list of serious accusations against Eto’o. The allegations touch on match manipulation, incitement to violence, threats, abuses of power, and the spread of misinformation within the country’s football ecosystem.
As reported by The Athletic, the principal dossier was sent to the FIFA Ethics Committee last July by Henry Njalla Quan Junior, who previously served as the federation’s vice president. FIFA has declined to comment on whether an investigation is ongoing into Eto’o. The governing body for world football stresses that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the appropriate judicial process. The Cameroonian Football Federation has not publicly confirmed any ongoing investigations in this regard.
Allegations of a bribed referee at halftime
Among the most provocative claims cited is the suggestion that Eto’o offered influence to referees during the halftime interval of the match, a claim attributed to Njalla Quan Junior. The report notes that a hands-free device was allegedly installed to enable communication between Eto’o and referees at halftime, an assertion that would carry serious implications if verified.
Beyond the sports arena, Eto’o’s personal life has recently faced attention for non-sporting reasons. Just over a month ago, one of his daughters spoke out about family obligations and financial support, adding another layer of complexity to the public scrutiny surrounding the federation’s leadership and its figures.