The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has declined the resignation of former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o from his position as president, despite facing allegations of improper conduct and corruption.
Eto’o tendered his resignation following Cameroon’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the last-16 stage by Nigeria. The decision came during an executive committee meeting convened to evaluate the team’s performance in the tournament. Eto’o not only offered his resignation but also urged other Fecafoot members to follow suit “in good faith,” as reported by ESPN.
However, Fecafoot, in a statement released subsequently, revealed that Eto’o’s resignation was unanimously rejected by the executive committee. The statement emphasized the committee’s decision to maintain their current mandates and expressed renewed confidence in Eto’o to continue leading the federation’s efforts in the development of Cameroon football.
Despite the vote of confidence from Fecafoot, Eto’o’s tenure as president has been marred by serious allegations of misconduct. Reports from The Athletic have surfaced, alleging various transgressions including match-fixing, abuse of power, and incitement of violence based on purported WhatsApp messages and audio recordings. These allegations have prompted investigations by both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Eto’o, who boasts an illustrious career as a player with stints at clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, has been a significant figure in Cameroonian football. However, the allegations against him have cast a shadow over his leadership at Fecafoot. Despite the ongoing investigations, Eto’o is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a judicial body.
The rejection of Eto’o’s resignation by Fecafoot signals a determination to weather the storm of controversy surrounding the federation’s leadership. However, the unresolved allegations against Eto’o loom large over the future direction of Cameroon football, raising questions about transparency and integrity within the organization.