Cameroon FA Samuel Eto’o is facing serious allegations regarding his involvement in attempting to fix matches in the national leagues.
According to reports from Camfoot via La Razon, Eto’o is said to have made promises to ensure two teams would be promoted to the top division in Cameroon. A published conversation allegedly shows Eto’o speaking to Valentine Gwain, President of Victoria United, discussing their plans.
In the conversation, Eto’o is purportedly heard saying, “There are things we can do, but you have to be very discreet brother. I’m out of the country. I haven’t even had time to go home and work with the president because I can’t call the refs directly and tell them to be careful. But I can work with the president [of the referees].”
Leaked footage shows Samuel Eto’o speaking to the president of Victoria United, stating:
"Our club (Victoria) needs to go up to the top-flight, that’s our goal. We can work with the president of the referees… we will penalize the referee.”pic.twitter.com/CfHqKXI1FB
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) July 21, 2023
He goes on to say, “Don’t worry, we’ll give you your three points and we will suspend the referee. But let me at least come back to Cameroon. I arrive on the 3rd (of January) in the evening. So we’ll meet in the office on the 4th. But I’m going to discard this referee anyway. I’m going to disqualify him. On the 4th we’ll meet in the office, and that’s when I’ll summon the president of the referees.”
Eto’o suggests a discreet meeting, saying, “It’s better that we meet discreetly. Maybe you organize two days, you invite your wives to Yaounde, we see each other discreetly, we talk and you leave. It’s important to have a good relationship with the president of the league. He has the power. And from there, he, with his commissions, will be able to suspend even the president of the referees.”
Victoria United were eventually promoted to the top division in April of this year. As of now, Eto’o has not responded to these accusations. However, it is noted by Spainish media Cadena Cope that FIFA granted the Cameroon FA a fresh €6.5 million grant just days after this conversation was made public.