In Cameroon, Barcelona icon Samuel Eto’o has been accused of match-fixing.
According to Camfoot, Eto’o, the head of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), reportedly pledged to promote Victoria United through match manipulation.
Victoria United were promoted because the federation ruled that Stade de Bertoua, the previous season’s runner-up, was ineligible.
According to reports, Eto’o informed Victoria’s president Valentine Gwain that he would assist the team advance by influencing referees.
‘There are things we can do, but you have to be extremely subtle, brother,’ Eto’o remarked.
‘I haven’t even had time to get home yet. I’m out, bro. I haven’t had time to get home and work with the president (of the Cameroonian Referee’s Association) because I can’t call the refs directly and tell them to be careful. But I can work with the president.’
Gwain is believed to have had the chat after Victoria defeated 1-0 in December 2022, when he interrupted the game to protest about the officiating.
‘Opopo (Victoria United’s nickname) must go up to the top level,’ Eto’o allegedly said. This is our objective (…) This is the name of our Federation. Victoria United will advance.
‘Remain calm; we will award you three points and suspend the referee. But please allow me to return to Cameroon. He came late at night on January 3rd. So, see you at the office on July 4th. Anyway, I’m going to rule this referee out and disqualify him.
Eto’o went on to emphasise the significance of having a positive connection with the league’s president.
‘He has the power,’ he added. From there, he will be able to suspend even the president of the referees through his commissions.
‘Our club, Opopo, must go to the top division; that is our goal.’
Eto’o, who also played for Inter Milan and Chelsea, scored 56 goals for Cameroon in 114 appearances.
He was elected as the president of Fecafoot in December 2021.
