Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT), is under investigation for allegedly embezzling over €567,000 ($665,000) intended for his organization. Former FECAFOFT executives claim Eto’o redirected these funds from Russia’s payment for a 2023 friendly match into his personal account at the Qatar National Bank in Doha. Eto’o denies all charges; however, this is not his first controversy as he has faced suspensions and bans from CAF over previous misconduct incidents.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, 45, faces embezzlement allegations in his role as president of Cameroon’s football association (FECAFOOT). Former FECAFOOT executives claim he redirected over 567,000 euros ($665,000) in appearance fees meant for the federation into his personal bank account. The Times newspaper in London published these allegations, which Eto’o denies. Al Jazeera reached out to FECAFOOT and CAF but did not receive responses. Eto’o is also a board member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Written for “Eto'o Embezzlement Allegations” on 2026-09-14,
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No political leaning scored for article 9391 · logged 2026-09-14
The president of Cameroon football’s national association, Samuel Eto’o, is facing embezzlement allegations.
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president → face → allegations
The 45-year-old, who scored 56 goals in 118 appearances for Cameroon, has been accused by former executives of the Federation Camerounaise de Football (FECAFOOT).
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who → score → Federation
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body → get → derby
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They allege the former Chelsea and Barcelona striker redirected more than 567,000 euros ($665,000) in appearance fees meant for the federation into his personal bank account.
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striker → allege → account
The allegations were published in The Times newspaper in London.
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allegations → publish → London
Al Jazeera requested a comment from FECAFOOT but did not receive a response.
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Jazeera → request → response
Eto’o is also a serving member of the executive on the board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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Eto’o → serve → Football
Al Jazeera contacted the governing body for the sport on the continent but received no reply.
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Jazeera → contact → reply
It is understood that Eto’o denies all allegations made against him.
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Eto’o → understand → him
The alleged embezzlement relates to payments by Russia for a friendly international against Cameroon in 2023.
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embezzlement → allege → 2023
According to The Times, files seen by the newspaper show that two payments were requested to be paid into an account held by Eto’o with the Qatar National Bank in Doha, Qatar.
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payments → accord → Doha
The former FECAFOOT executives allege they were forced out of the federation under Eto’o.
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they → allege → Eto’o
They told The Times that they submitted complaints to FIFA’s ethics committee more than a year ago but have received no substantive update on the investigations.
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they → tell → investigations
Al Jazeera has contacted FIFA for a response.
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Jazeera → contact → response
The allegations are the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Eto’o, including his suspension by CAF in January for four national team games for alleged misbehaviour during his team’s loss to Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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allegations → surround → Nations
FECAFOOT said at the time that the suspension lacked “any explicit justification”.
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suspension → say → justification
Eto’o was also banned from attending national team matches for six months after violating FIFA disciplinary regulations during the 2020 Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
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Eto’o → ban → Cup
Details of the incidents were not disclosed, but the statement said Eto’o was deemed guilty of “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct” involving officials in charge of Cameroon’s last-16 defeat by Brazil.
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Eto’o → disclose → Brazil
Eto’o was also filmed attacking a man following a heated exchange outside a stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and later apologised for the violent altercation.
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Eto’o → film → altercation
