The President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto'o, has voiced concerns regarding the credibility of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the decision to award the organization of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to Morocco. This stance comes after the CAF's appeals jury withdrew the organization of the AFCON from Senegal, sparking a wave of outrage among observers and analysts of African football.
Eto'o, also a member of the CAF executive committee, challenged the governing body of African football by asking: "How do we restore the confidence of African fans in their CAF?". According to him, this decision to entrust the tournament to Morocco, after Senegal's victory on the field, discredits the institution. He called for responsibility and the construction of a credible CAF that respects its autonomy.
The CAF's decision has provoked strong reactions across the continent and beyond, with many observers condemning what they see as an attack on the image of African football. Eto'o joined these critical voices, insisting on the need for CAF to consolidate its credibility and reaffirm its legitimacy.
In other news, Samuel Eto'o has been suspended for four matches by CAF for misconduct during the quarter-final of the AFCON 2025 between Cameroon and Morocco. He was also fined $20,000 USD. FECAFOOT reacted by denouncing a lack of explicit justification for this decision and contesting the expedited procedure that led to it. The federation reaffirmed its support for its president and its commitment to the principles of credible disciplinary justice.
This suspension follows an incident where Eto'o reportedly made an angry gesture towards the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, due to certain refereeing decisions. CAF President Patrice Motsepe is said to have witnessed the scene.
FECAFOOT has announced its intention to exercise the remedies provided for by the applicable texts, suggesting a legal battle to come with CAF. This case comes in a context where Samuel Eto'o has already been sanctioned by FIFA in 2024, raising questions about the governance and image of Cameroonian football.
The decision to award AFCON 2025 to Morocco continues to raise questions about the future of African football and CAF's ability to maintain the trust of fans.
