Sports

CAF fines Eto’o $200k for ethical breaches

Published

5 months ago

July 5, 2024

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Cameroon’s football legend and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o, the sum of $200,000 for an ethics breach, but freed him on charges related to allegations of match-fixing as the football governing body could not find sufficient evidence to pursue the allegations.

CAF had opened an investigation into Eto’o’s conduct in August last year after allegedly receiving written statements from several Cameroonian football stakeholders.

Eto’o was, last month, invited by a disciplinary panel set up by CAF and after its investigations, the panel said the four-time African Footballer of the Year had “seriously violated the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship of CAF by signing a contract to be an ambassador for betting company 1XBET.”

The panel noted that Eto’o committed ethical breaches by signing the ambassadorial contract since 1XBET is the sponsor of the top two divisions of men’s professional football in Cameroon and both the men’s and women’s international sides, while the regulations of world football governing body, FIFA, state clearly that “people bound by its code are not allowed any involvement in betting related to football.”

A group representing amateur football clubs in Cameroon had last year, called on Eto’o to resign as Fecafoot President, expressing their concerns over his relationship with 1XBET and citing “grave irregularities” at Fecafoot.

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker was being investigated alongside Valentine Nkwain, president of newly promoted club side Victoria United, following a leaked phone conversation said to be of the pair discussing Victoria’s return to the top flight before promotion had been guaranteed.

However, both Eto’o and Nkwain have previously denied involvement in any conspiracy to manipulate results.

Earlier in the week, a group of football administrators, including former members of Fecafoot and the president of the country’s Professional Football League, wrote an open letter to CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, urging them to speed up their investigations and pointing out that possible sanctions included a lifetime ban.

Part of the letter had said:

“Many stakeholders who have been in the game for several decades are leaving because of the abuses that have taken place over the past two years.”

Related Topics:CAF Cameroon Featured Fine 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.