# Cameroon football federation leadership dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cameroon-football-federation-leadership-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-10T12:42:34.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 3.

Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has accused a former international referee and military officer of attempting to undermine Cameroon’s football interests. Eto’o specifically alleged that this individual tried to influence matches during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to favor other nations, despite Cameroon ultimately winning the tournament by defeating Malawi 3-0 in the final.

Alioum Sidi, president of the Cameroonian Association of Football Referees (ACAF), identified himself as the target of these accusations. Sidi has firmly rejected the claims, describing them as an attack on his ‘honor, professional integrity, and patriotism.’ He has demanded that Eto’o provide objective evidence and noted that he reserves the right to pursue legal action for defamation.

In a related development, Jean Crépin Nyamsi has publicly apologized to the Cameroonian people for his previous support of Eto’o. Nyamsi criticized the FECAFOOT president for allegedly acting unilaterally and concentrating too much power, specifically citing Eto’o’s support for Gianni Infantino over Nyamsi’s own FIFA presidential ambitions.

Further complicating Eto’o’s leadership, former federation officials have accused him of mishandling over €567,000. Complainants allege that funds from a 2023 friendly match between Cameroon and Russia were diverted to Eto’o’s personal bank account in Doha rather than to official federation accounts. According to reports citing leaked invoices and contracts, the amount consists of two specific transfers: €455,056 and €112,514. Former executive committee member Guibai Gatama stated there is no accounting evidence that these funds were recorded in FECAFOOT’s books. While the matter has been brought to the FIFA Ethics Committee, Eto’o has denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations a ‘calculated’ attempt to undermine him.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Samuel Eto'o accused of mishandling €567,000 in federation funds

Cameroon football president Samuel Eto'o is accused by former officials of diverting over €567,000 from a 2023 Russia friendly into a personal Qatari bank account.

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samuel-etoo-accused-of-mismanaging-500000-euros

### 2026-09-05: Samuel Eto’o accuses former referee of undermining Cameroon football

FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o accused a former referee of undermining Cameroon during the 2026 Women’s CAN, while Jean Crépin Nyamsi apologized for previously supporting Eto’o, citing concerns over power.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samuel-etoo-accuses-former-referee-of-undermining-cameroon-football

### 2026-09-03: Alioum Sidi rejects Samuel Eto'o's match influence accusations

FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o has accused former referee Alioum Sidi of attempting to influence Cameroon's national team matches, prompting Sidi to threaten legal action for defamation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alioum-sidi-rejects-samuel-etoos-match-influence-accusations

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Cite as: Cameroon football federation leadership dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cameroon-football-federation-leadership-dispute