Samuel Eto'o under investigation for match-fixing

Police in Cameroon have launched investigations into allegations of match-fixing by President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Samuel Eto’o.

The allegations emerged in July when an audio recording purportedly featuring Eto’o in conversation with Valentine Nkwain, also known as ‘Bobdidy’ and the President of Victoria United, became public.

Cameroonian news outlet Camfoot reports that Eto’o is alleged to have made promises regarding the promotion of Victoria United from the second division through match manipulation—a claim vehemently denied by both Eto’o and Nkwain.

FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o (L) and President of Victoria United Valentine Nkwain. [Photo/Courtesy].

In the recording, Eto’o is claimed to have told Nkwain that they could take certain actions concerning a match in which Victoria United was defeated 1-0 in December of the previous year, stating, “there are things we can do,” but emphasizing the need for discretion.

He is further alleged to have said, “Don’t worry, we’ll give you your three points, and we will suspend the referee. Opopo [Victoria United’s nickname] must go up to the first division. This is our goal. This is our federation. Victoria United will go up.”

Victoria United indeed achieved promotion in April. Nkwain has however contested that the voice on the recording does not belong to him.

Victoria United indeed achieved promotion in April. [Photo/Courtesy].

Eto’o, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in June, clarified that he had been conversing with a friend who was investing in football and aiming to elevate his club’s status in Cameroon.

Eto’o stated, “I just reassured him by saying that I would do everything possible to prevent any refereeing errors against him.”

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These developments follow a series of public incidents involving Eto’o, including a reported “violent altercation” with an Algerian journalist at the World Cup in Qatar the previous year.

Samuel Eto'o in a "violent altercation" with an Algerian journalist at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. [Photo/Courtesy]. — Samuel Eto’o in a “violent altercation” with an Algerian journalist at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. [Photo/Courtesy].

A group of Cameroonian football officials, including Pierre Semengue, the President of the Professional Football League of Cameroon, has jointly written a letter to Fifa’s President, Gianni Infantino, and the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, questioning how Eto’o has been allowed to continue exerting influence on the Fecafoot presidency, alleging illegal actions in this regard.