FIFA: Samuel Eto’o targeted by a complaint regarding the management of funds sent by Russia.

This new case further undermines Samuel Eto’o’s position at the head of FECAFOOT. The British daily The Times reports that the former captain of the Indomitable Lions is accused by ex-officials of the federation of mismanaging funds related to the friendly match between Cameroon and Russia, held in Moscow in October 2023. The newspaper claims to have accessed contractual documents and invoices revealing two payments of €455,056 and €112,514. These amounts were allegedly intended for a personal account of Samuel Eto’o opened at Qatar National Bank in Doha.

Former FECAFOOT officials have reportedly sought explanations from the FIFA ethics commission, believing they lack accounting or banking documents to establish that the money was subsequently transferred to the federation’s official accounts. This case arises in an already tense context regarding the relationship between Samuel Eto’o and Gianni Infantino. Eto’o’s support for the FIFA president and the FIFA Forward Enterprise project was notably mentioned in a legal proceeding in the United States.

The complainants also question the lack of communication from the ethics commission and the ties between the two men. However, these inquiries stem from the allegations made by the former officials and do not, at this stage, constitute established facts. FIFA asserts that Gianni Infantino exercises “no influence” over its judicial bodies, which it considers independent. When contacted by The Times, Samuel Eto’o and FECAFOOT had not responded to the British daily’s requests at the time of the article’s publication.