Cameroon Football Federation Raises Concerns Over CAF Disciplinary Procedures Involving Samuel Eto'o

The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) issued a strong rebuke against the Confederation of African Football (CAF), questioning the procedural integrity of disciplinary actions taken against FECAFOOT President, Samuel Eto’o Fils.

While acknowledging a recent procedural clarification, the Cameroonian football body expressed deep concern over what it described as a significant discrepancy between the speed of sanctions being pronounced versus the slow delivery of the legal justifications necessary for an appeal.

The situation stems from recent disciplinary measures levied against Samuel Eto'o by CAF’s Disciplinary Commission. FECAFOOT has been awaiting the official grounds for the decision to launch a formal appeal.

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In a press release, the federation confirmed it had received the necessary information regarding the timeline for its legal recourse.

FECAFOOT stated: “The Cameroon Football Federation acknowledges the response transmitted today by the Disciplinary Commission of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirming that the deadline for filing an appeal brief will only begin to run upon notification of the grounds for the decision rendered against its President, Mr. Samuel ETO’O Fils.”

While welcoming this specific clarification, the core of the press release focused on FECAFOOT's frustration with the pacing of CAF's judicial process.

The federation highlighted an alarming contrast between how quickly punishments were handed down versus how slowly the supporting documentation was provided.

“This procedural clarification is welcome. However, FECAFOOT is surprised by the contrast between the speed observed in the pronouncement of the sanction, less than two hours after the hearing, and the prolonged, even indefinite delays that one observes in the communication of the motifs of a decision which affects the reputation and honour of the President of the Federation in the exercise of his functions,” the federation added.

FECAFOOT further alleged that this bureaucratic sluggishness is part of a pattern within the continental governing body, rather than a one-off administrative error.

The federation cited past experiences to bolster their claim of systemic issues within CAF’s disciplinary apparatus.

“This discrepancy is not an isolated incident. It is worth recalling that during a previous disciplinary case, it took more than nine months to successively obtain the grounds, the full decision, and finally the setting of a hearing date,” the statement added.

The federation concluded its statement by emphasising the necessity of due process, positioning its stance not just as a defence of Samuel Eto’o, but as a defence of the integrity of sports governance across Africa.

“FECAFOOT reaffirms its commitment to a fair procedure, to respect for reasonable deadlines and to the effectiveness of remedies. It will remain vigilant regarding the requirements of these fundamental guarantees, to the honour of its Members, and beyond that, to the credibility of sports governance on the Continent and in the World,” the statement added.