African football chief Samuel Eto’o has been fined $200,000 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a serious breach of ethics and integrity.
The CAF Disciplinary Board found the Federation Camerounaise de Football (FECAFOOT) president guilty of violating the organization’s statutes by signing a lucrative contract with betting company 1XBET.
“We are disappointed that Mr. Eto’o failed to adhere to the highest standards of ethics and integrity,” said CAF President Patrice Motsepe. “As leaders in African football, we must set an example and uphold the values of our organization.”
Eto’o, a former Barcelona and Chelsea star, was accused of match manipulation, but the Disciplinary Board ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegation.
“While we are relieved that the match manipulation charges were dismissed, we are saddened by the breach of ethics and integrity,” said Eto’o’s lawyer, Gregory Nkana. “We will carefully consider our next steps and hope for a positive outcome.”
The ruling marks a significant blow to Eto’o’s reputation as a leading figure in African football. His leadership has been under scrutiny, and this development may raise further questions about his stewardship.
“CAF will continue to prioritize integrity and transparency in all aspects of African football,” added Motsepe. “We will not tolerate any behavior that compromises the values of our organization.”
