Samuel Eto’o Wins Appeal to Stand in CAF Executive Committee Elections

Samuel Eto’o Cleared to Run in CAF Executive Committee Elections

Football icon Samuel Eto’o has successfully overturned his exclusion from the upcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee elections. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in his favor on March 7, 2025, allowing him to stand as a candidate in the elections scheduled for March 12, 2025.

Eto’o, currently serving as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, was initially deemed ineligible by CAF’s governance committee in January 2025. The exclusion was linked to prior sanctions, including a six-month suspension imposed by FIFA in October 2024 for disciplinary violations during the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, CAF had previously sanctioned Eto’o for alleged breaches of ethical standards related to his ambassadorial role with a betting company; however, this ban and a $200,000 fine were later lifted on appeal.

Following a hearing on March 3, 2025, CAS concluded that there was sufficient basis to overturn CAF’s decision regarding Eto’o’s ineligibility. The CAS panel ordered that Eto’o be reinstated as a candidate for the CAF Executive Committee elections, stating, “It will be for the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on 12 March to make its own evaluation of the candidates.”

Eto’o’s reinstatement adds a significant dimension to the forthcoming elections, where he aims to leverage his extensive experience and passion for African football to contribute to the continent’s football administration.