Samuel Eto’o Fils: A Champion’s Battle Against Controversies in African Football

by time news

2024-07-09 11:29:43

Double pass, Marc Brys episode, 1XBet contract, fixed matches, everything is good for the attack of Samuel Eto’o Fils during this period. How long gone are the days when the election for the former African Ballon d’Or double at the head of FECAFOOT seemed like a breath of hope for all of African football … But it is certainly not for the leaders who still dominate African football. And they make us feel it!

by Philippe Doucet,

This Sunday, the President of FECAFOOT was in Ngambe, in the Littoral region of the “continent” of Cameroon. History of kicking the 6th gradee
Festi Foot in Ngambe, a village of 6,000 inhabitants. When contacted, Samuel Eto’o did not hesitate to take a child under his wing and offer him access to a training center and pay for his schooling. Whatever one thinks of the Cameroonian star, it is impossible to question his love for his country and football.

A brief respite from the real-life look that seems to be taking place against the Cameroonian star. However, when other former African footballers are asking for jobs here and there, it is rare to find a decision as authentic as that of Samuel Eto’o Fils, the kid from the New Bell area of ​​Douala.. The first time I met Samuel, he didn’t come up to me to tell me about himself or his career. No, he wanted to invite me to his country, to show me all its beauty. Samuel true. .

Pro and anti-Eto’o!

His connection with Cameroon as complete as his personality, very divisive. Since his return to the country, controversies continue to surround his career as Cameroon’s football leader. We have already swept the Minister of Sports regarding the appointment under the carpet Urgent Mark at the head of the selection. Four points from two games later, we moved on to other clashes with a final week full of dangers.

His double passport is of interest in a country where dual nationality is prohibited. Although his appearance before the CAF disciplinary jury sparked debates on the Cameroonian, continental and even global future of the star. In short, it is impossible to escape the pro or anti-Eto’o divisions…

Indeed, Samuel Eto’o has always been divided. His honesty and outbursts cannot leave anyone indifferent. In Europe, this bravado and proud side is lost. In Africa, he touches the hearts of little Africans who dream of being like him. Her election to the FECAFOOT presidency even inspired continental optimism. “football for footballers”, with leaders that would include players and coaches and would be at the service of their sport. After the election of Samuel Eto’o, we imagined the champions at the head of their respective federations: Drogba in Ivory CoastOkocha au NigeriaFatigue au Senegaletc.

© Iconsport

Football for footballers!

But this prediction and hope is precisely the nightmare of football leaders in many countries. Eto’o is very popular. scary. In local football circles, we are used to elections among ourselves. And we quickly realize that the intervention of a star returning from Europe distorts the situation and risks getting them kicked out of the game.

A feeling that goes far beyond football. A few days ago, Samuel Eto’o bluntly announced that he would not that it was not aimed at the presidency of the republic Cameroonian … Oh
George Weah elected to
Liberiaall the African stars returning home are in doubt.

I always wonder if they are not coming to take the jobs of the locals. Or even aim for the highest peaks…

The question inevitably arises when the rivals are called Eto’o or Drogba! But if
Didier Drogba failed in pursuit of the Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto’o broke the doors to capture FECAFOOT from Cameroon. There is also no doubt about the former star Barça he is a boy from Douala, having grown up on the grounds of a Cameroonian academy, before showing his talent and winning his heart at
SpainItaly, Russia, England, ItalyTürkiye, or Qatar to finish.

And, if his victory inspired strong curiosity and anticipation, it also generated fear, attacks and controversy. At the Cameroonian-Cameroonian level. Eto’o was therefore “accused” of having a Spanish passport, which prohibits dual nationality in the texts in Cameroon (even if the matter is discussed in parliament…). By pushing good faith to the limit, the union of Cameroonian “amateur” clubs put at risk: having a Spanish passport, Samuel Eto’o should therefore have been stripped of his nationality A Cameroonian should not be able to stand in the federal election! By carefully failing to point out that many former FECAFOOT leaders (and elsewhere still) were clearly in the same situation…

When Eto’o also files a complaint…

In the time of the identity question, this controversy did not even make the whole of Africa smile about the peculiarities of the “Cameroon continent”!

Above all, the next salvo was much spicier. And carefully referred to CAF and FIFA from July 2023. In this case, suspicion of a rigged championship and an unethical contract with a sports betting company. The reason why Samuel Eto’o appeared before the CAF disciplinary jury last week. Like a fellow active player… Remember that the CAF does not have an ethics commission! Shouldn’t FIFA have accepted Eto’o’s case?

It is timely to remember, even before this incident, Samuel Eto’o had filed a complaint against Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Secretary General of CAF, and a former FIFA player. For “harassment”…
Was it, therefore, to attack Eto’o to reduce the burden, or even to push him to withdraw his complaint? Despite audio recordings, the match-fixing relationship (to “friendly” clubs) did not provide fertile ground for the accusers. “Lack of sufficient evidence”, the case was closed

Samuel Eto'o, president of Fecafoot

© Iconsport

But the “trial of Eto’o” was especially expected on his contract with “1XBet”, a sports betting company. During the session in front of the jury, the former Barça striker spoke about income that was then paid to foundations or associations. He was also able to play on the fact that “1XBet” is now, thanks to him, a sponsor of FECAFOOT. Although it is also a partner of CAF…

How can we understand this ambivalent sanction? And the character of
Samuel Eto’o, who has a very strong character and cannot always be controlled by the leaders of CAF and FIFA, it is clear that one of the objectives is to remove Samuel Eto’o from his continental, or even global, ambitions.. The FECAFOOT President’s relationship with Motsepe and Infantino is on the order of yo-yo. Nothing positive for the men in power. If, in the Eto’o clan, we consider that the sanction does not make the champion ineligible, we still will
to appeal of this sanction!

The former winner of two CAN series and three Champions League is, in fact, always ready to fight. Nothing scares him. And especially not the CAF election which should be in March 2025! However, Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, would like continue to rule CAF and its 54 votes. And to protect yourself from possible complications in the future…

Gianni Infantino, Patrice Motsepe, CAF, FIFA© Iconsport


#hunt #Etoo

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