Samuel Eto’o responds to €500,000 payment allegation over Cameroon friendly against Russia – Africa Top Sports

Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has responded to allegations that more than €500,000 was paid into his personal account in connection with the Indomitable Lions’ friendly match against Russia.

The allegation has raised questions over the handling of funds surrounding the national team, with Eto’o now breaking his silence and strongly defending his position.

In his response, the former Cameroon captain said he had spoken out to defend the interests of Africa and rejected what he described as coordinated attacks against him.

“It was enough for me to speak to defend our interests, the interests of Africa, so that they are all out,” Eto’o stated.

He also appeared to criticize the manner in which the allegations and related narratives had been circulated, suggesting that similar language had been used almost simultaneously by journalists.

“As by chance, the same attacks, the same elements of language, relayed almost simultaneously by journalists who have acquired them,” he said.

Eto’o further argued that Africans should be able to express their views and defend their interests without being subjected to criticism for doing so.

“Those who spend their time teaching us democracy lessons seem to find it far more difficult to accept when an African speaks freely, defends his convictions and refuses to be silent,” he added.

The FECAFOOT president concluded with a firm defence of his right to speak on matters concerning Cameroonian and African football, stating: “We have the right to speak. We have the right to defend our interests. We have the right to think and decide for our football.”

The allegations concerning the reported payment have not, from the information provided, been independently established as fact. Eto’o’s comments represent his response to the controversy and his broader defence of his conduct and position within African football.