Samuel Eto’o attacks RFI after fresh complaint over alleged public funds misuse

Samuel Eto’o has launched a fierce attack on Radio France Internationale (RFI) after the broadcaster reported a new complaint alleging the misuse of public funds.

The president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) responded on Facebook on Thursday, challenging the French radio station’s credibility rather than directly addressing the financial allegations.

RFI said the complaint had been filed by the Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) and registered by the Special Criminal Court of Yaounde. It concerns spending linked to four international friendly matches played by the Indomitable Lions in 2022 and 2023, including fixtures against Russia and Mexico.

The complainants suspect some of the costs may have been paid twice: once by the Cameroonian authorities and again by the organisers of the matches. Those claims have yet to be established and do not, at this stage, amount to proof of wrongdoing.

Eto’o, a former striker for FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, reacted sharply to the report.

“When Radio France Internationale (RFI) finally decides to give ‘information’ … LOL!” he wrote.

He then directed more serious accusations at people he said were associated with, or worked as consultants for, the broadcaster.

“You would be better off starting by cleaning up among your own collaborators and suspending all cooperation with consultants involved in proven acts of paedophilia.”

He ended his message by writing: “Credibility also begins with setting an example! RFI.”

Eto’o did not identify the people to whom he was referring. The accusations made against them are not established by the information currently available.

The row adds to the scrutiny surrounding Eto’o, who has previously faced controversy over the financial management of Fecafoot. His latest comments, however, do not provide a direct response to the concerns raised in the complaint about the four matches.

Instead, the former Cameroon captain shifted the focus towards the standards and credibility of the media organisation that reported the case.

The complaint relates to matches played during 2022 and 2023 and centres on whether public money and payments from match organisers covered some expenses more than once. The allegations remain subject to investigation and no finding of guilt has been made.

Attention will now turn to the legal process and whether the Fecafoot president gives a substantive response to the claims made against him.

The case represents a new sensitive issue for Eto’o as he continues to lead Cameroon’s football federation. RFI’s report prompted his immediate public reaction, but his statement focused on the broadcaster rather than the substance of the alleged financial arrangements.