Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o faces questions over an alleged €500,000 payment linked to a 2023 friendly.
The Times reported that Russia allegedly paid the money into an account held by Eto’o in Doha, Qatar. The report cited invoices and contracts showing demands for two payments of €455,056 and €112,514. Together, the payments amounted to more than €567,000.
The money reportedly represented the match fee for Russia’s friendly against Cameroon in Moscow in October 2023. However, the allegations have raised concerns because of Eto’o’s position in African football. 
Questions Over the Russian Payment
Eto’o currently serves as president of Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT). He also sits on the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football. Additionally, he remains one of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s prominent African supporters.
Former FECAFOOT officials who have fallen out with Eto’o told The Times they could not trace the payment. They reportedly complained to FIFA’s ethics committee over a year ago. However, they said they had received no substantive update on their complaint.
Guibai Gatama, a former Fecafoot executive committee member, also raised concerns. He said he knew of no financial records showing where the money went after reaching Eto’o’s account.
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‘Neither Fecafoot Nor Eto’o Has Denied It’ – Gatama
“Neither FECAFOOT nor Samuel Eto’o has denied the existence or authenticity of these transactions,” Gatama told The Times.
He argued that the documents were serious enough to warrant a formal investigation. Gatama also pointed to Fecafoot’s statutes concerning the federation’s finances.
According to him, the rules require FFECAFOOT funds to remain in accounts opened in the federation’s name. Therefore, the alleged payment into Eto’o’s personal account has become a major point of contention.
The claims, however, remain allegations and do not establish that Eto’o misused the funds.
Eto’o’s Relationship With Infantino
The issue also comes amid scrutiny of Eto’o’s relationship with Infantino.
Eto’o has repeatedly expressed strong support for the FIFA president. He has even described Infantino as a “brother” while campaigning for him among African football leaders.
Recently, FIFA cited Eto’o in legal documents filed in a New York court. The documents reportedly linked him to support for Infantino’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The proposal sought to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Eto’o had previously urged Infantino to revive the proposal if re-elected.
Samuel Eto’o Breaks Silence Over Alleged Russia Payment Scandal
Following the allegations over the handling of a payment from Russia linked to a 2023 friendly match, Samuel Eto’o has broken his silence.
In response to the allegations, Eto’o took to social media to reject the claims and denounce what he described as a media smear campaign.
“It was enough for me to speak out and defend our interests, Africa’s interests, for all of them to come out of the woodwork.
As if by coincidence, the same attacks and the same talking points were echoed almost simultaneously by journalists who are aligned with them.
If anyone still had doubts about the reality of what we are denouncing, here is yet another example.
Those who spend their time lecturing us about democracy seem to have much more difficulty accepting it when an African speaks freely, stands up for his convictions and refuses to remain silent.
We have the right to speak.
We have the right to defend our interests.
We have the right to think and make decisions about our football.”
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