Cameroonian Olympic Hero Alleges Match-Fixing Attempt During 2000 Sydney Games
By BBC Sport Africa | Investigations
A former Cameroonian international has made startling allegations that a match-fixing attempt targeted Cameroon’s legendary run to Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. Speaking to Swiss daily Le Matin, the ex-player claims he and five teammates were approached by a criminal syndicate with a bribe offer of $600,000 to manipulate their quarter-final clash with Brazil.
The former player, widely believed to be Serge Branco, revealed that each of the six players received $200,000 upfront as “transportation” funds after the approach, which allegedly took place at a location away from the team hotel. The fixers reportedly demanded that Cameroon lose the match 2–1 in favour of Brazil.
But despite the enormous sum — and the immense pressure — the players ultimately rejected the proposal, fearing the potential fallout both internationally and back home. “We knew the consequences could be devastating if such a scandal ever came to light. It wasn’t worth it,” the unnamed player told Le Matin.
The revelations resurface 14 years after Cameroon’s historic triumph, which remains one of the most celebrated achievements in African football. The Indomitable Lions stunned a star-studded Brazilian side in the quarter-finals, clinching a 2–1 victory in extra time, and went on to defeat Chile and then Spain — the latter on penalties — to secure Olympic gold.
The former player did not indicate whether the matter was ever reported to football authorities or the International Olympic Committee. Neither FIFA nor the IOC have publicly responded to the new claims.
Match-fixing has long been a scourge in global football, but the prospect of mafia influence reaching an Olympic fixture adds a chilling dimension to the problem. While Cameroon’s eventual refusal preserved the integrity of their path to gold, the incident highlights the vulnerabilities athletes face — even at the highest levels of international sport.
This disclosure now raises fresh questions about the prevalence of organised crime in football and whether other similar instances remain buried in silence. As of now, no official investigation has been opened into the matter, but anti-corruption groups are expected to monitor any further developments closely.
For many, Cameroon’s 2000 Olympic title remains a proud symbol of African excellence on the world stage. These new revelations, however, serve as a sobering reminder of the unseen pressures athletes may confront in their pursuit of glory.
