<p>Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Association, has been the subject of several legal issues during his tenure, the most recent of which are fresh accusations of match-fixing and threatening behavior.</p>



<p>In the last two years, Eto’o has faced several legal challenges, including a lawsuit in Italy brought by his daughter, who is 21 years old. Then the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/samuel-etoo-seen-in-violent-altercation-with-photographer-20221206-WST-411373.html">punched an Algerian YouTuber on camera</a>. It prompted the former striker to issue an apology.</p>



<p>Then on top of this, he received a 22-month suspended sentence, after agreeing to pay a $1.5 million fine for tax evasion in Spain. While a FIFA investigation is continuing, <a href="https://theathletic.com/5224900/2024/01/31/samuel-etoo-referee-cameroon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> has reported new evidence linking him to a match-fixing incident in Cameroon.</p>



<p>Also, FIFA has not yet punished Eto’o for his ties to 1XBet as an ambassador. No national association head may have any financial or other relationship with a betting establishment. Doing so carries a maximum three-year penalty.</p>



<h2>Henry Njalla Quan Junior accuses Samuel Eto’o of match-fixing</h2>



<p>Now Henry Njalla Quan Junior, a former vice president of the Cameroon Football Federation, has accused Eto’o of rigging matches and influencing officials, even by calling them during halftime. In one play-off match, the official sent off two coaches and three players while also awarding two penalties to one team.</p>



<p>In what he calls “the most scandalous… in the history of mankind,” he claims that the ex-Barcelona star arranged a match between his academy and Kumba City FC. Allegedly, the Cameroonian leader also helped a team owned by Valentine Nkwain—a “close associate”—win promotion. Despite losing their first four games, Victoria United won eleven of their last seventeen, allowing them to advance.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240201_WST_486686_Etoo-AFCON-1200x670_b6db0b2b.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-486728" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Etoo-AFCON-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Etoo-AFCON-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Etoo-AFCON-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Etoo-AFCON.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>According to The Athletic, they have evidence in the form of audio recordings and communications that support their assertions. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/cameroon-national-team-tv-schedule/">Cameroonian FA</a> has also leveled accusations of match manipulation against Njalla.</p>



<h2>What did Eto’o say?</h2>



<p>The report adds that the relationship between the two later soured, and the retired 42-year-old ace ordered the delivery of a threatening note. The text was as follows:</p>



<p>“I am a mafia of this revolution, and in this specific mafia, we do not betray our leaders. I have protected the interest of our mission to date. However, if you f**k with me be ready to carry the load of the circumstances.”</p>



<p>The CAF, or Confederation of African Football, is also looking into the matter. An inquiry into Eto’o’s alleged inappropriate behavior is already underway, according to the Federation. As a result, there have been demands for FIFA to remove the 42-year-old from his position as President.</p>



<p>Adding to the slew of scandals involving Samuel Eto’o is the rumored recent altercation with Manchester United shot-stopper <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/onana-requests-postponed-afcon-release-for-touching-reason-20231229-WST-480252.html">Andre Onana</a>. They benched the goalie for their pivotal group-stage match against Gambia.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12304255/Andre-Onanas-exile-Cameroon-blamed-Samuel-Etoo-former-CFF-executive.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daily Mail</a> stated that the two parties have not communicated since their row at the 2022 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a>. The goalie, Onana, was sent home after an argument with Cameroon manager Rigobert Song at the World Cup. But this year’s AFCON was the last straw, and the Manchester United star was benched due to the rift.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Endless drama: AFCON winner accused of match-fixing again

Samuel Eto'o is back under the microscope for the wrong reasons as he tends to accusations of match-fixing in Cameroon.


<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> star Samuel Eto’o is currently being investigated by Cameroon police for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-legend-samuel-etoo-accused-in-match-fixing-scandal-20230720-WST-444303.html">match fixing</a>. Following his retirement as a player, the striker was named president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) in 2021. According to a report by <em><a href="https://www.camfoot.com/actualites/trucage-de-matchs-lami-de-samuel-etoo-nie-et-menace,406170.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camfoot</a></em>, Eto’o allegedly used his power to manipulate matches in Cameroon’s second-tiered division.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Samuel-eto-o-au-coeur-d-un-nouveau-scandale-au-cameroun/1409234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">L’Equipe</a></em> reported this summer that there was a recording of Eto’o speaking to Valentine Nkwain, also known as ‘Bobdidy,’ the president of Cameroonian side Victoria United. In the recording, Eto’o promised Nkwain to help promote the club to the top flight by fixing games. Both Eto’o and Nkwain have denied involvement in the issue. The latter even claims that it was not his voice on the recording.</p>



<h5>Recordings allegedly tell story of duo manipulating fixtures</h5>



<p>In the recording, Eto’o told Nkwain that “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/28/samuel-etoo-investigated-by-cameroon-police-over-match-fixing-allegations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">there are things we can do</a>” to help Victoria United. The two discussed a 1-0 loss by the club, to which the former star stated “Don’t worry, we’ll give you your three points and we will suspend the referee.”</p>



<p>Nkwain then responded by telling Eto’o that his team needed promotion back to the top flight. “Opopo [Victoria’s nickname] must go up to the first division. This is our goal. This is our federation. Victoria United will go up,” Nkwain said per the allegations. Victoria earned promotion to the first division in April.</p>



<p>Eto’o previously denied the allegations in an interview with <em>Gazzetta dello Sport</em> this summer. The former star striker claimed that he was merely “talking to a friend, someone who invests in football and wants to make his club one of the best in Cameroon.”</p>



<p>“I just reassured him by saying that I would have done everything possible to avoid any refereeing errors against him,” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/28/samuel-etoo-investigated-by-cameroon-police-over-match-fixing-allegations">added</a> Eto’o.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Samuel Eto&apos;o is the subject of an investigation by the Cameroonian police for allegations of match-fixing!<br><br>The former Barca striker allegedly fixed 2nd division matches to promote Victoria United to the 1st division. 🇨🇲 <br><br>The investigation will also look into wider… <a href="https://t.co/Qxu78b8yQy">pic.twitter.com/Qxu78b8yQy</a></p>— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1707694085203489177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Up to 40 people involved in Eto’o match fixing case</h2>



<p><em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/28/samuel-etoo-investigated-by-cameroon-police-over-match-fixing-allegations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a></em> has now obtained a Cameroonian police report regarding the allegations. In the letter, police revealed they opened an investigation into Eto’o and Nkwain. Officials have even reportedly interviewed key witnesses in the case and claim that the situation could involve around 40 people.</p>



<p>The latest issue will add further strain on Eto’o’s relationship with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/cameroon-national-team-tv-schedule/">Cameroon</a> soccer officials. A group of high-ranking execs in the African nation previously wrote a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding Eto’o. The officials asked Infantino to intervene in their fight to remove the former striker from office.</p>



<p>Eto’o previously received heat after a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/samuel-etoo-seen-in-violent-altercation-with-photographer-20221206-WST-411373.html">bizarre incident</a> at the 2022 World Cup involving a photographer. The soccer star kicked a cameraman in the face while the two exited a Doha stadium. The altercation occurred as fans and other photographers looked on.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PanoramiC</em></p>


Samuel Eto'o under police investigation for match fixing

Former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o is under investigation by Cameroonian police regarding match fixing in his home nation's league.


<p id="block-6cbcecf1-6c6d-4488-a2f3-468e8455b404">As a result of his decision to promote a club the from second Cameroonian division to the top league, troubling evidence about possible match-fixing conduct of Samuel Eto’o has come to light. The President of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/cameroon-national-team-tv-schedule/">Cameroon</a> Football Federation (FECAFOOT) allegedly promised to promote the team by manipulating matches, as reported by French daily <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Samuel-eto-o-au-coeur-d-un-nouveau-scandale-au-cameroun/1409234"><em>L’Equipe</em></a>.</p>



<p id="block-3fb4b195-239d-4f00-9edd-6bf311a61cd2">According to the source, Eto’o may be heard saying, “Opopo must go up to the first division,” on recordings made in January of 2023. This is our goal (…) This is our Federation. Victoria United will go up.</p>



<p id="block-f7583bc5-2884-4bc0-95c5-d34569e08e2b">“Stay calm, we will grant you the three points and we suspend the referee. But let me at least go back to Cameroon. He arrived on the 3rd (January) at night. So we’ll see you in the office on the 4th. Anyway, I’m going to rule out and disable this referee”, he went on to say in the leaked talks.</p>



<h2>Eto’o association with Cameroonian match-fixing issues</h2>



<p id="block-ae7c6045-9400-4c31-8b02-941acd59ce39">A few months later, the team catapulted to the first position. Ultimately, it won the competition because FECAFOOT ruled the previous season’s runner-up, Stade de Bertoua, was ineligible.</p>



<p id="block-98373b5b-e036-4526-aecf-31b0b97450b7">Therefore, Victoria United triumphed in April, claiming victory in Cameroon’s second division and gaining promotion. Furthermore, this is the club’s second promotion in as many years. In 2020, it jumped from the third to the second division. Eto’o was in charge.</p>



<h5>Cherry on top of other allegations</h5>



<p id="block-8a8db905-cd13-47d8-9cb3-b653fac06a37">This adds to the long list of recent scandals involving the president of the Cameroonian Federation. A few days ago, his ex-vice president, Henri Njalla Quan, made some broad allegations. Quan accused Eto’o of benching the national team’s Andre Onana.</p>



<p id="block-4355189f-5427-40ac-987a-d1b9436a0e4a">“I asked him formally about the future of our goalkeeper [Onana] in the national team, and he replied that the boy’s career is over and that the letter he sent to his club, Inter, was to get rid of the boy, so how can someone be so petty? He wanted to get rid of him at all costs.</p>



<p id="block-c72c3ee9-2efc-42dc-9fb7-8bd68407f116">“The stars of the national team are being suffocated by someone who himself was a star when he was a footballer, and who wants to continue being one as a coach. He is present at all meetings, in all training sessions. Even the coach (Rigobert Song) feels suffocated by the omnipresence of Eto’o”, Njalla Quan said, via Cadena Cope.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Worrying details have surfaced concerning FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o and his suspected participation in a match-fixing scandal.

Endless drama: AFCON winner accused of match-fixing again

AFCON

Endless drama: AFCON winner accused of match-fixing again

Cameroon

Samuel Eto'o under police investigation for match fixing

Cameroon

Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o accused in match-fixing scandal