The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an investigation targetting Samuel Eto’o following written statements from “several Cameroonian football stakeholders,” the institution announced in a release published last August 8.  In its release, the African soccer governing body did not reveal what the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) is accused of.

The only thing it mentions about the case is that it concerns “certain alleged improper conduct by Mr. Samuel Eto’o.” According to the CAF, “whilst the allegations are prima facie serious, Mr. Samuel Eto’o is presumed to be innocent until an appropriate judicial body concludes otherwise.”  

"CAF will make no further announcement while the investigations are ongoing and will only make public statements when the proceedings have come to an end," the body concludes.  

In Cameroon, where opinions about the investigation are divided, predictions are rife. For some people in the soccer world, CAF is investigating match-fixing allegations against Samuel Eto'o Fils. For months now, accusations are wild against the Cameroonian football federation having allegedly facilitated the entrance of Limbé’s Victoria United and Douala’s Dynamo (two Elite Two teams) into Elite One. 

The suspicions are reinforced by some elements, including an audio recording. In May 2023, Donald Ngameni, the president of Unisport de Bafang, publicly admitted that Elite Two teams were supported by the Fecafoot. A compromising audio attributed to a Victoria United player has also made rounds. 

"If Donald Ngameni said he doesn’t indulge in match-fixing, that’s his problem. We do it and we are going to win. Ngameni said he doesn't give money to referees, we here, we have money and we give referees," the player is heard saying in the audio. 

Finally, there's the leaked telephone call between Samuel Eto'o and Valentine Gwain, the chairman of Victoria United. In the leaked call that quickly went viral, Samuel Eto'o clearly indicates his intent to help Victoria United reach the first division. "Opopo must enter the first division [ed. note: Elite One]. This is our goal,” the Fecafoot president can be heard saying using the Opopo reference, which is another name for Victoria United. 

Michel Ange Nga