The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) has publicly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF), accusing the continental body of serious procedural failures following the four-match suspension imposed on its president, Samuel Eto’o.
In a strongly worded statement, Fecafoot said CAF and its legal and disciplinary structures were operating outside accepted legal standards, raising concerns about transparency, due process and respect for basic rights.
The federation questioned both the method and the speed with which the sanction against Eto’o was delivered, as well as the absence of any formal explanation to justify the decision.
At the centre of the dispute is CAF’s failure to provide a legal basis for the suspension handed to Eto’o, who is also a former African football icon.
According to Fecafoot, no reasoned decision or official notification has been communicated, despite the seriousness of the sanction and its implications for the image and authority of the federation’s president.
The Cameroonian body drew parallels with other recent disciplinary cases, noting that no official and reasoned notification was sent to Algeria following sanctions imposed on the Algerian Football Federation and two national team players.
Fecafoot argued that such practices point to a broader pattern of irregularities rather than an isolated incident.
The federation also highlighted a previous case in which CAF reportedly took nine months to provide the reasoning behind a disciplinary decision.
It said such a delay was incompatible with fundamental legal principles, which normally require that reasons be communicated within seventy-two hours once a formal request has been made.
“Fecafoot is surprised by the contrast between the speed with which the sanction was pronounced – less than two hours after the hearing – and the prolonged, even indefinite, delays in communicating the reasons for a decision that affects the reputation and honor of a president in the exercise of his duties,” the statement said.
Fecafoot believes this approach undermines confidence in CAF’s governance and disciplinary credibility.
It warned that decisions taken without transparency or legal clarity risk damaging not only individuals but also the integrity of African football institutions as a whole.
The federation said it would continue to seek clarification and accountability, insisting that respect for due process must remain central to the administration of football on the continent.
