Samuel Eto’o Faces Allegations Over Cameroon Football Presidency Election

A Cameroonian body has called for Samuel Eto’o to be banned for life from all football-related activities

Stories surrounding Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), have been rife with controversy. Recently, a new accusation has emerged, questioning his eligibility to hold the presidency.

Eto’o presidency allegedly contravenes Cameroonian law

The Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) has alleged that Eto’o no longer possesses Cameroonian nationality since 2007, which, according to the country’s Nationality Code, would render him ineligible for the Fecafoot presidency.

At the heart of the controversy is Article 31, paragraph (a) of law N•68-LF-3 of June 11, which states that an adult Cameroonian who voluntarily acquires or retains a foreign nationality loses their Cameroonian nationality by consequence.

The ACFAC claims to have “irrefutable evidence” that Eto’o acquired Spanish nationality on July 1, 2007, and formally renounced his Cameroonian nationality. Despite this, Eto’o continued to represent Cameroon in international football until 2014.

ACFAC demands ban for Eto’o

Given these allegations, the ACFAC is calling for Eto’o to be suspended from his duties as Fecafoot president during the investigation.

The association demands that if the investigation confirms their claims, Eto’o should be suspended “for life” from any football-related activities, ordered to repay all benefits received from Fecafoot since his election in December 2021, and pay 20 billion CFA francs in damages and interests.

The Federation’s ethics commission is expected to investigate these serious allegations and determine Eto’o’s future in Cameroonian football governance.