Samuel Eto’o’s legal team has made a significant announcement as an appeals court has overturned a $200,000 fine against the Cameroonian Football Federation president for an ethics violation.

This development is crucial in the ongoing saga surrounding Eto’o and the CAF.
Following “written statements from several Cameroonian football stakeholders,” the Confederation of African Football (Caf) launched an inquiry into Eto’o’s behavior in August 2023.
A CAF disciplinary panel concluded in July of last year that the 43-year-old seriously violated ethical, integrity, and sportsmanship standards by becoming a 1XBET ambassador outside of his CAF role.
Eto’o’s lawyers say they’ve successfully argued that the CAF’s independent ethics committee is the sole authority on cases like this.
FIFA’s regulations forbid betting involvement from those bound by its code, yet 1XBET sponsors Cameroon’s top men’s football divisions and national teams.
So far, there has been no comment from the Caf regarding the appeal.
Match-fixing allegations and elections
While the original verdict was delivered, Eto’o was also being investigated for suspected match-fixing; however, the Caf disciplinary panel found the evidence lacking.
Eto’o has persistently refuted the claim.
A social media letter from his lawyers states that CAF’s appeal committee factored in Fecafoot’s ongoing ethics probe when deciding.
As referenced in the letter, Eto’o’s appeal to CAS aims to secure his candidacy for the Caf executive committee elections next month.
Patrice Motsepe’s unopposed reelection bid for Caf president may face a significant challenge. Samuel Eto’o’s candidacy for a powerful position within the organization could potentially overshadow Motsepe’s bid, adding an element of intrigue to the upcoming elections.
Since taking the reins at Fecafoot in December 2021, a series of disputes have marked the ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan forward’s time in office, keeping the football community on edge and interested in the unfolding events.
FIFA banned him from attending Cameroon games for six matches last September.