Samuel Eto’o Fils found not guilty of match manipulation, fined for signing a Brand Ambassador contract with a betting company

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Disciplinary Board sat on the matter of Fédération Camerounaise de Football (‘’FECAFOOT’’) President Mr Samuel Eto’o Fils.

Mr Eto’o was facing charges of alleged manipulation of football matches and violating the principles of ethics and integrity.

The Disciplinary Board ruled that as it stands, there is insufficient proof to find Mr Samuel Eto’o Fils and Mr Valentin Nkwain guilty of match manipulation.

However, the Disciplinary Board found Mr Eto’o to have seriously violated the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship as provided in Article 2 paragraph 3 of the CAF Statutes by signing a Brand Ambassador contract with the company 1XBET in exchange for remuneration  and consequently fined Mr Eto’o an amount of 200,000 USD (Ug shs 740 million). “the CAF statement said.

The allegations against Eto’o suggested that he irregularly assisted a club to rise to the top of the Cameroonian League two years ago.

His accusers claimed to have provided evidence linking the former Barcelona star to these activities to CAF.

Had Eto’o been found guilty, he would have faced a minimum punishment of a lifetime suspension from all football-related activities.

Eto’o, who was elected head of Cameroon’s football federation in December 2021, has had a storied career, playing for top European clubs and earning numerous accolades.

His leadership of FECAFOOT has been under intense scrutiny with this latest controversy adding to the challenges he faces in his administrative role.