Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto’o is facing renewed scrutiny over allegations involving more than €567,000 (about R10.6 million) in payments linked to a 2023 international friendly against Russia.

According to reports based on documents reviewed by The Times, two payments totalling €567,570 were allegedly directed to a personal bank account belonging to Eto’o in Qatar rather than an official FECAFOOT account. The money was reportedly paid by the Russian Football Union for Cameroon’s friendly against Russia in Moscow in October 2023.

Former FECAFOOT officials have reportedly questioned what happened to the funds, saying they could not find evidence that the money entered the federation’s accounts. The allegations have therefore raised concerns over financial controls, transparency and accountability within Cameroon’s football administration.

However, it is important to stress that Eto’o has not been found guilty of stealing or retaining the money. The available reports describe the matter as an allegation, and the documents cited in the reports have not been made public. Eto’o and FECAFOOT had not responded to the allegations at the time of its report.

The latest controversy adds to previous scrutiny surrounding Eto’o’s leadership of FECAFOOT, which he has headed since December 2021.

The allegations are now likely to increase calls for greater clarity over how international match payments received by national football associations are handled.

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