The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a $200,000 fine on Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, for an ethics violation related to a brand deal.
Eto’o, a former Barcelona and Inter Milan star, had faced accusations of match manipulation, which the CAF disciplinary board found lacked sufficient evidence. However, the organization determined that Eto’o had violated ethical principles by accepting a paid partnership with an online gambling company.
In a statement, Eto’o’s legal team expressed surprise at the decision, arguing that the alleged violation didn’t involve a CAF-organized competition and that CAF lacked the authority to issue such a ruling, especially without a formal ethics code or commission.
They stated that Eto’o intends to appeal the decision to CAF’s appeals board.
Eto’o’s recent actions have garnered significant attention following a heated exchange with Cameroon national team coach Marc Brys, who was appointed by the country’s sports ministry without Eto’o’s approval.
