Police in Cameroon have reportedly opened an investigation into claims that Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o was part of a match-fixing scandal.
The 42-year-old, who also played for Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton, was accused of helping to fix matches in Cameroon's second tier after a recording of him allegedly speaking to Victoria United president Valentine Nkwain was made public.
According to Camfoot, Eto'o, who has been the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) since December 2021, allegedly promised to promote second division club Victoria United by manipulating matches.
Those claims have been denied by Eto'o and Nkwain, while Victoria United ended up getting promoted.
The Guardian have now reported that, from a letter seen by them, police in Cameroon have opened an investigation into alleged 'abuse of authority and corruption'.
It's said that they have interviewed several key witnesses and looked into wider accusations of corruption at Fecafoot during Eto's time in the role.
They say that it is believed that the investigation could involve up to 40 people.
Eto'o allegedly told Nkwain in the recording: 'There are things we can do, but you have to be very discreet, brother.'
'Don't worry, we'll give you your three points and we will suspend the referee. Opopo [Victoria's nickname] must go up to the first division. This is our goal. This is our federation. Victoria United will go up.'
Eto'o told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in June that he had been 'talking to a friend, someone who invests in football and wants to make his club one of the best in Cameroon'.
He added: 'I just reassured him by saying that I would have done everything possible to avoid any refereeing errors against him.'
It comes as the Athletic reported on Wednesday that FIFA is under pressure to remove Eto'o from his role, after a group of Cameroonian football officials called on them to take action.
The group, including the president of the professional football league of Cameroon and a former Fecafoot vice-president, wrote a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, questioning how he has been allowed to continue 'to illegally impose himself on the FECAFOOT presidency' after a series of public incidents.
A CAF investigation into “certain alleged improper conduct” of Eto’o was opened in early August, a few weeks after leaked audio had emerged claiming to implicate the 42-year-old in a match-fixing scandal, which he strongly denied.
PEP-GUAIDIOLA
498
How can the most currupt professionals in Cameroon be the ones to investigate? joke of the century. 😂😂😂😂😂😂.
nellomcfc
417
Fecafoot was the most corrupt organization in Africa before Eto'o came to power, Eto'o have taken away food from those old fouls and they want to use motive to remove him
Herve2
79
Cameroon 🇨🇲 Police ??? are you joking or you playing?? I'm not saying Eto'o did it but we talking about Eto'o being investigate in cameroon is no possible at all ,I'm from Cameroon police love Money more than self, and Eto'o got Money you know what I mean, Corruption is a number 1 ministry in my Country cameroon 🇨🇲 😏.
Danny670
14
Eto’o has succeeded in kicking out corruption in Cameroon federation of football and it has affected some of the local coaches and club owners who used to extort money from their players and embezzle funds. All the old men who had no interest in the game but interested in the money were kicked out and so they have decided to form a gang of dark horses to conspire against Eto’o. What Eto’o has done in Cameroon football since becoming the FA president is far far more than what president Paul biya has done in his entire regime of 40+ years. Players now earn their wages and have a contract with their respective clubs unlike before when players had to bribe their way into the club. Those accusing him of match fixing are the same people who pledged their support for him during his campaign with conditions that their club will be promoted to the first division, who does that?