'I will fear no evil' - Samuel Eto'o boasts as CAF Appeals jury overturns Ksh 25.9 million sanction against him

Photo || Samuel Eto'o -Instagram

'I will fear no evil' - Samuel Eto'o boasts as CAF Appeals jury overturns Ksh 25.9 million sanction against him

Mark Kinyanjui 17:47 - 20.02.2025

Eto'o has reacted for the first time since the CAF Appeals jury overturned the Disciplinary Jury's decision to slapped him with a $200,000 (Ksh 25.9 million) fine & banned him from participating in the governing body's electoral processes.

Former Barcelona and Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o has hailed his legal victory after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Jury overturned the sanctions imposed on him last July.

Eto'o, who currently serves as the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), is now free to pursue a seat on the CAF Executive Committee in the upcoming March elections—a position he had previously been barred from contesting.

The initial sanctions stemmed from allegations that Eto’o violated CAF's ethical guidelines through a personal partnership with sports betting company 1xBet.

 In July 2024, CAF's Disciplinary Jury slapped him with a $200,000 (Ksh 25.9 million) fine and prohibited him from participating in CAF's electoral processes.

Eto'o's legal team challenged the decision, arguing that the Disciplinary Jury had no authority to rule on ethical matters, which should instead be handled by an independent Ethics Committee. 

After an eight-month legal battle, the CAF Appeals Jury ruled in Eto’o's favor, declaring that the original body had exceeded its jurisdiction.

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This ruling not only nullifies the hefty financial penalty but also reinstates Eto'o's eligibility for the upcoming CAF Executive Committee elections in March.

Reacting to the decision on Instagram, Eto’o appeared in a triumphant mood, quoting Psalms 23:

"When 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 comfort me."

The former striker also took a swipe at his detractors, posting:

“THANK YOU TO MY LAWYERS. The cheating will only pass for a little while.”

Eto'o's candidacy had previously been rejected by CAF's Governance Committee in January 2025 due to ethical concerns and regulatory irregularities. 

The ruling has sparked mixed reactions across African football. Supporters see it as a vindication of Eto’o, highlighting his impact on the sport both on and off the pitch. Critics, however, argue that the decision raises concerns about CAF’s commitment to ethical governance.

With the March elections fast approaching, all eyes will be on Eto'o to see how this decision shapes his campaign and the power dynamics within CAF.

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