Fécafoot: the inside story of Samuel Eto'o's resignation
Samuel Eto'o tendered his resignation from Fécafoot after Cameroon's failed AFCON campaign, but the federation's executive committee rejected it.
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Samuel Eto'o wants to jump ship at Fécafoot. Back from Ivory Coast, where Cameroon failed to get past the round of 16 at the AFCON 2023, which is still under way, the Fécafoot president offered his resignation to the federation's executive committee in Yaoundé, the country's capital. It happened during a session held on Monday 05 February. The shock announcement of the Cameroonian football chief's resignation rocked the members of the federal executive body who were present.
Resignation aborted
According to the Fécafoot secretary general, Samuel Eto'o announced his intention to step down as president at the very start of the meeting, inviting the members of the executive committee to do the same "in all conscience". However, after heated exchanges and intense deliberation, the members voted unanimously to reject President Eto'o's resignation, renewing their confidence in him to continue the work of rebuilding and developing Cameroonian football.
"Another con by Samuel Eto'o"
The decision drew mixed reactions within the Cameroonian football community. A sharp critic of Samuel Eto'o told SNA: "This is another con by Samuel Eto'o. You don't offer your resignation; you hand it in and leave. It's clear this is another piece of theatrics on his part. Eto'o does not want to resign and never will. All of this is to give the impression that he is staying, despite the failures and the scandals, because the executive committee supports him. Which is obviously false".
The controversy comes against a backdrop of setbacks for Cameroon's national teams, all of which have posted disappointing results in competition over the past two years. In addition, Fécafoot has been tainted by several scandals since Samuel Eto'o was elected president, fuelling criticism and questions about his ability to run the body effectively.
Despite these challenges, the former Barcelona striker is expected to continue his mission to turn Cameroonian football around. However, the executive committee's decision to keep him in post raises questions about the real appetite for change within Fécafoot and prompts concern about the future of Cameroonian football under his leadership. The pressure remains high on Samuel Eto'o.
Arthur WANDJI