Sports

Cameroonian soccer great, Samuel Eto’o accused of match fixing, corruption

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2023

A sports platform in Cameroon, Camfoot.com has accused former striker and current President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o, of match fixing and corruption.

The publication, which released a dossier on Tuesday, said Eto’o used his position as the President of Fecafoot to fix matches for a local club side, Victoria United, helping them gain promotion to the league’s top division.

In the dossier, which is the latest on the corruption scandal that has permeated Cameroonian soccer, Camfoot said Eto’o had been involved in a series of corruption cases, and had used his position as the federation president to cover his tracks.

According to the article which Camfoot said was the final of a dossier comprising no less than nine articles devoted to the former Real Madrid star, “Eto’o’s Fecafoot does indeed rig matches in the pro leagues” as well as “suspected corruption in the Cameroonian championship.”

The article added that Eto’o acted in favour of Victoria United and its president, Valentine Nkwain, whose telephone discussion with the former striker had leaked onto social networks.

The media outlet insisted that the audio of the leaked phone conversation was authentic, and that the comments made by Eto’o and the other person who spoke of a strategy to get Victoria United into the Cameroon First Division, had been verified.

The publication said it also relied on other elements such as the testimony of one of the club’s goalkeepers and the “choice of referees appointed to officiate matches involving Victoria United – only three of the same referees in 13 of the 24 matches played by the team out of a total of 39 referees” to support their claim.

Camfoot also highlighted another point where it claimed that the four matches won by Victoria United came after appeal to the Cameroon Football Federation’s disciplinary committee which was apparently influenced by Eto’o.

“That was a total of 12 points, which greatly helped the club, for whom the body is in the hands of Samuel Eto’o and his entourage,” it said.

“All the referrals made by soccer players have not led to any hearings or investigations. This also means that the Ethics Commission is anything but independent. It is under orders of Samuel Eto’o,” the media outlet said.

Though the embattled Eto’o has not responded to the accusations, the Cameroonian football federation has said the allegations will be looked into.

Related Topics:Cameroon Camfoot.com corruption Featured Match Fixing Samuel Eto'o

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Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”

Sports

South Africa FA President Danny Jordaan detained. Here’s why

Published

4 days ago

November 17, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), was taken into custody on Wednesday on suspicion of misusing the organization’s funds for personal gain.

On Tuesday, Jordaan, who played a key role in securing South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup, attempted to have his impending arrest stopped by a court. The case is postponed until Dec. 5.

The matter has been postponed until December 5. Jordaan, who was given 20,000 rand ($1,110) bail, says he has done nothing wrong.

The police raid on the SAFA headquarters in March is what led to the arrest.

Between 2014 and 2018, “the president of SAFA used the organization’s resources for his gain, including hiring a private security company for his protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board,” according to a police spokesperson at the time.

Jordaan, 73, appeared in Palm Ridge magistrates court together with his co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, and businessman Trevor Neethling, who was also given bail.

They have been advised not to communicate with any of the 19 possible state witnesses on the list who may testify against them.