Scandal after football
Samuel Eto’o, a famed former footballer who later became president of the Cameroon Football Federation, has again found himself at the center of controversy. His long association with Anji Makhachkala is a notable chapter, but this latest incident draws fresh scrutiny to his public role in Cameroonian football.
During the World Cup in Qatar, the Cameroon national team, known as the Indomitable Lions, failed to advance from the group stage. In their opening match, they were defeated by Switzerland (0:1), then drew with Serbia (3:3), and capped the group with a surprising 1:0 win over Brazil. Despite the win, Cameroon finished third in the quartet and did not move on. Eto’o remained in Doha as the federation’s official ambassador to FIFA and, as such, remained visible during the tournament.
The controversy erupted after the 1/8 final between Brazil and South Korea (4:1). Eto’o was in the stands and, after the match, left the stadium with security, engaging with fans and answering questions from reporters.
Among the questions came from Said Mamuni, an Algerian blogger also known as Sadouni SM. The exchange reportedly angered Eto’o, who then confronted the blogger directly on the field. A security escort briefly blocked the confrontation, but Eto’o pressed forward toward his opponent, prompting a clash. A second Cameroonian security officer intervened, and a camera was wrested from Mamuni. As Mamuni leaned to reclaim the device, Eto’o seized the moment, delivering a forceful kick that sent the blogger to the ground. The Cameroon federation’s chief was then separated from the scene by other guards, and Mamuni left toward a local police station to file a report against Eto’o.
Mamuni later claimed to have suffered multiple scratches and a jaw injury from the incident. Reports also cited that Mamuni had previously hurled insults at Eto’o and faced accusations of bribing a referee in prior World Cup playoff rounds. The incident underscores ongoing tensions within African football circles as teams vie for a place at major tournaments.
In the broader context, the African qualifying system remains fiercely competitive. Cameroon faced a challenging path to Qatar, needing to overcome groups that included Mozambique, Malawi, and Ivory Coast, with the Lions often hovering near the cutoff. After the subgroup phase, a draw paired the remaining teams in knockout ties to determine the final qualifiers for the World Cup, with Cameroon meeting Algeria. The home leg ended in a 0:1 defeat for Cameroon due to Slimani’s goal, while an away goal in regular time kept the tie alive for Cameroon, with Erik-Maxim Choupo-Moting scoring in the return. Some decisions in extra time, including a late intervention by a Gambian referee, allowed the Cameroonians to progress in dramatic fashion. Algerian analysts later alleged involvement by the federation or Eto’o in officiating irregularities, though these claims remain contested with ongoing investigations.
Speculation about alleged bribery and refereeing controversies has colored perceptions of the federation. After the decisive tie, questions about the propriety of some decisions circulated widely, even as Algerian players were criticized for delaying play in the dying moments of the match.
Notable year for Eto’o
Throughout his term as federation president, which began with a four-year mandate, Eto’o has repeatedly found himself at the center of headlines. Early on, he invited families impacted by a stadium tragedy to attend team practice during the host nation’s Cup of Nations, framing a stark motivational message that drew mixed reactions. Around the same period, Cameroon faced allegations about testing procedures in the Cup of Nations context, with results that were disputed and subsequently led to sanctions against the federation in some reports. The leadership’s handling of these events drew public scrutiny and debated the role of governance in Cameroonian football.
Cameroon’s performance at the continental tournament did not meet Eto’o’s expectations, and tensions with the national sports minister became public when the minister publicly supported a different coaching plan. Eto’o asserted that he would determine the future of the federation’s coaching arrangements. Although a deadline passed without the expected renewal, the coaching role was eventually filled by Rigobert Song, a renowned former Cameroonian player. Rumors circulated about political influence surrounding the appointment, though official confirmation remained elusive.
Under Song, a controversial post-match message circulated via federation channels, revealing a more reticent approach from the leadership. Meanwhile, Eto’o pursued organizational changes within the domestic league, and a contract change with equipment suppliers drew attention just before key international competitions. The federation indicated these moves as necessary steps for modernization, even as critics questioned the timing and impact on the national program.