February 21 – Cameroon’s greatest footballing icon Samuel Eto’o has emerged victorious in his long-running legal battle with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), successfully overturning sanctions that had threatened his presidency at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
CAF’s Appeals Board has ruled in his favour, stating that the disciplinary body had no jurisdiction over ethical matters, which should be handled exclusively by an independent panel.
Lawyers for Eto’o say the ruling that led to him being fined $200,000 for an ethics breach has consequently been quashed on appeal.
CAF opened an investigation into Eto’o’s conduct back in August 2023 after receiving “written statements from several Cameroonian football stakeholders”.
In July last year, a disciplinary panel organised by African football’s governing body found that the 43-year-old had “seriously violated the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship” by signing a contract to be an ambassador for betting company 1XBET.
1XBET sponsors the top two divisions of men’s professional football in Cameroon as well as both the men’s and women’s national sides. FIFA strictly forbids individuals bound by its code from participating in any betting or gambling activities and CAF initially deemed Eto’s partnership with the betting firm a conflict of interest.
Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year, faced potential disqualification from CAF’s upcoming March elections. However, after an eight-month legal battle, his legal team have successfully argued that CAF exceeded its authority and his eligibility is now reinstated, pending any further appeals or challenges.
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