Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o has won his appeal against sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), clearing the path for his potential candidacy for a seat on the CAF Executive Committee, AfricaSoccer.com can reveal.
Eto’o, who currently serves as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), had been fined USD200,000 and sanctioned for the alleged breaches of CAF Ethics principles.
This many believe led to him being disqualified from contesting CAF’s March elections due to alleged breaches of ethical principles.
However, after an eight-month legal battle, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that its Disciplinary Board lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as such cases fall exclusively under an independent Ethics Committee.
“The decision of 27 June 2024, which imposed a fine of USD 200,000 on Mr. Eto’o, was annulled,” read a statement from Eto’o’s legal team.
“In accordance with the principle of lis pendens, the CAF disciplinary bodies could not take up this matter.”
The ruling marks a significant victory for the former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, whose reputation had been under scrutiny due to his association with sports betting company 1xBet and a previous suspended prison sentence for tax fraud in Spain.
CAF initially viewed the partnership as a conflict of interest, which many believe led to Eto’o’s exclusion from the electoral race.
With the CAF Executive Committee elections scheduled for March, the decision now theoretically reinstates Eto’o’s eligibility, pending any further challenges.
His initial disqualification had sparked widespread debate, as Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year, remains a high-profile figure in African football administration.
Eto’o expressed his relief and determination on his official Instagram account, quoting Psalm 23:4: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” He added a pointed message to his critics: “Cheating will pass but for a little while.”
The decision could have wider implications for the upcoming elections, especially as other disqualified candidates, such as Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas from Congo and MacLean Letshwiti from Botswana, are also seeking to overturn their exclusions.
With the final candidate list yet to be confirmed, Eto’o’s legal triumph may set a precedent for others hoping to contest key leadership positions within CAF.
As the countdown to the elections continues, all eyes will now be on CAF’s next steps and whether Eto’o’s could fight to get him reinstated in the race for the CAF Executive Committee election.
