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In the incriminating recording, Eto'o is heard saying, "Opopo must go up to the first division. That is our goal. It's our Federation.”
Samuel Eto'o, has become embroiled in a significant match-fixing scandal following a leaked audio recording that allegedly captures him plotting to manipulate a game's outcome.
The audio which has been shared via several Cameroon media on social media implicates the promising to influence results of a match in favour of Victoria United, a second division club.
The controversial audio clip, currently making rounds on Cameroonian social media, reveals the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) purported intentions to influence the tide of the promotion battle to favour Victoria United.
This conversation reportedly took place in January 2023 and involved the three-time African Footballer of the Year and the president of Victoria United.
In the incriminating recording, Eto'o is heard saying, "Opopo must go up to the first division. That is our goal. It's our Federation.”
“Stay calm, we will grant you the three points and we suspend the referee. But let me at least go back to Cameroon. He arrived on the 3rd (January) at night. So, we'll see you in the office on the 4th...”
A Cameroonian football news outlet reported that "Victoria United won the second level of Cameroon in April, earning promotion.”
“And that is the second promotion in three years, as in 2020, when Eto'o was in charge, they went from third to second."
This revelation has sent shockwaves through the football community, with fans and stakeholders condemning Eto'o and increasing the chorus for his resignation.
The allegations of influencing football outcomes have prompted attacks and criticism aimed at the football legend.
In response to the developing crisis, Cameroon's Amateur Clubs' Association (ACFAC) has called for Eto'o's resignation from his role as the president of FECAFOOT.
This call follows a vote in which 11 of 12 clubs from the Cameroon amateur football clubs body, ACFAC, the proposal, citing grave irregularities within the football governing body.
ACFAC has expressed several concerns about Eto'o's administration.
Chief among these is the extension of the FECAFOOT president's term from four to seven years, a move deemed anti-statutory and illegal by ACFAC.
The lack of newly adopted statutes since August 2021 is another issue.
Further compounding Eto'o's predicament is his decision to take on an ambassadorial role with a sports betting company, which ACFAC sees as a potential violation of both FIFA and FECAFOOT regulations.
FIFA's code strictly forbids anyone within its sphere from involvement in betting and gambling activities related to football, with violations attracting penalties ranging from fines to bans.
UMS de Loum, a top-flight Cameroonian club, has sought an investigation into these allegations from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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