The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has unexpectedly declined to accept Samuel Eto’o’s resignation as president of the organisation.
Only a few days had passed since Cameroon’s heartbreaking loss to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when the former Barcelona striker submitted his resignation.
At an executive committee meeting held to assess the AFCON campaign, Samuel Eto’o offered to quit; however, FECAFOOT members unanimously declined his resignation. In a statement, the federation stated that they would stick to their current responsibilities and that they still had faith in Eto’o to carry on rebuilding and developing Cameroon football.
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Following discussions and subsequent deliberations, the executive committee members unanimously voted to uphold their current mandates and rejected the president’s resignation, reaffirming their faith in him to carry out the reconstruction and development of Cameroon football at all levels in the manner outlined in his plan approved by the elective general assembly on December 11, 2021.
Insiders speculate that Eto’o’s departure may have been a calculated effort to address the severe charges against him, even if it first appeared to be related to the AFCON loss.
The Athletic has published reports on audio recordings and WhatsApp communications purportedly endorsing charges of violence provocation, abuse of authority, match-fixing, and disseminating false information in Cameroon.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is launching an inquiry in addition to FIFA, which has received a comprehensive file detailing the claims. Eto’o was already being investigated by CAF due to claims made by different Cameroonian football stakeholders. He is, therefore, considered innocent unless and until a suitable court determines otherwise.
Even with all of the drama surrounding him, Eto’o has the support of his fellow FECAFOOT members.
In 118 appearances across his brilliant career as a Cameroonian international, Eto’o scored 56 goals and took part in four World Cups. With four wins, he continues to retain the record for most African Player of the Year honours.
The football community is apprehensive about Eto’o’s future as head of Cameroon’s football federation while FIFA and CAF continue to look into the claims against him.
