Cameroon: Roger Milla goes on the attack against CAF in defence of Samuel Eto'o
With CAF having opened an investigation into FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o, Roger Milla has hit out at the confederation.
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This saga looks set to dominate the African football headlines, and Cameroon's in particular, for a long time to come. Following concerns raised by figures within Cameroonian football, FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o is facing an investigation opened by CAF into "allegations of inappropriate conduct". A wave of support has risen up in Cameroon against CAF's decision.
Samuel Eto'o has defended himself through a statement issued by his lawyer, lashing out at his accusers and voicing outrage at CAF's stance, and now a legend of the Indomitable Lions has come to the defence of the leading goalscorer in the history of the Cameroon national team. Roger Milla did not mince his words in going after CAF. "As far as I'm concerned, they (CAF) have no right," fumed the 1976 and 1990 African Ballon d'Or winner. "This isn't an Africa Cup of Nations we're playing. We're in a national championship. They can't come and carry out an investigation in Cameroonian football. What do they give Cameroonian football to allow themselves to carry out an investigation? Nothing at all! So there's no need to overdo it, we don't need an investigation here."
⚽⚽ CAF opens an investigation into 🇨🇲 Samuel Eto'o, the president of FECAFOOT. 🇨🇲 Former Indomitable Lion Roger Milla, now a roving ambassador, expresses his indignation. pic.twitter.com/uJswGpfYic
— Le journal Afrique TV5MONDE (@JTAtv5monde) August 12, 2023
The Executive Committee backs Samuel Eto'o
As well as the Cameroonian football legend, Samuel Eto'o has also received the backing of the Executive Committee of the Cameroonian Football Federation. In a statement published on its official website on Saturday 12 August 2023, the Executive Committee said: "The Cameroonian Football Federation is surprised and outraged by such a move on the part of the governing body of continental football which, having received complaints from so-called 'Cameroonian football stakeholders' denouncing 'reprehensible behaviour', did not see fit to refer the matter to it officially. Such an attitude violates the principles of adversarial proceedings, fairness and sporting ethics, which are indispensable in resolving disputes," the statement reads.