Guibai Gatama: Threatens FIFA Infantino Complaint Over Eto'o Funds

• Guibai Gatama, a former FECAFOOT executive, is challenging FIFA's handling of financial allegations against Samuel Eto'o.
• The allegations concern a 567,570 euro payment, reportedly from Russia for Cameroonian football, which was allegedly diverted to Eto'o's personal Qatar National Bank account.
• Gatama claims FIFA's ethics committee has not transparently addressed his complaints, which included banking documents submitted in June 2025.
• He has demanded an independent investigation and a provisional suspension for Samuel Eto'o during inquiries.
• Gatama threatens to file official ethics complaints against FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other officials if effective measures are not implemented.

The former Cameroonian football official has warned that if no effective action is taken, formal complaints could be lodged against Gianni Infantino, the president of the FIFA ethics committee's investigatory chamber, and other potentially involved officials.

Guibai Gatama, a former member of the FECAFOOT executive committee, has voiced significant concerns regarding the FIFA's management of financial allegations directed at Samuel Eto'o, the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT). Gatama alleges that the global football governing body has failed to act transparently on reports concerning a substantial financial transfer, leading him to threaten an ethics complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself.

The core of the controversy revolves around a payment amounting to 567,570 euros, equivalent to nearly 500,000 British pounds. This sum, according to Gatama, originated from Russia and was intended to benefit Cameroonian football following a friendly match between Russia and Cameroon in October 2023. However, the funds were reportedly deposited into Samuel Eto'o's personal account at the Qatar National Bank in Doha, rather than reaching FECAFOOT as intended.

Gatama asserts that he first brought these financial allegations to the attention of the FIFA ethics committee in June 2025, a date that he specified in his communications. He subsequently submitted additional complaints, supported by banking documents, to substantiate his claims. Despite these efforts, Gatama states he has received no concrete information regarding the progress of the investigation, an absence of response he finds deeply troubling and indicative of potential irregularities in the handling of the case.

In an open letter addressed to Gianni Infantino, as well as the presidents of UEFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Federation, Guibai Gatama has formally requested the initiation of an independent inquiry. He emphasized the critical need for impartial treatment of these accusations, stressing that any political backing enjoyed by an individual should not influence the investigative process or its outcome. Gatama further suggested that the prolonged silence from the relevant authorities risks fostering suspicions of protective measures being afforded to the accused.

The former Cameroonian football official has warned that if no effective action is taken, formal complaints could be lodged against Gianni Infantino, the president of the FIFA ethics committee's investigatory chamber, and other potentially involved officials. Gatama is pushing for the FIFA ethics committee to officially review the financial allegations and consider a provisional suspension for Samuel Eto'o while investigations are underway. He also seeks an independent probe to determine if political considerations have influenced the handling of his complaints.

This initiative places considerable pressure on the head of global football, raising questions about the independence and efficacy of FIFA's oversight mechanisms, particularly when allegations target influential figures within international football. Samuel Eto'o, who was elected to lead FECAFOOT in 2021 and is a renowned former player for clubs like FC Barcelona and Chelsea, is widely regarded as a significant supporter of Gianni Infantino across the African continent. Gatama has also called for the FIFA Council to address the matter during its upcoming meeting.

This development highlights the increasing scrutiny on governance and ethical conduct within international sports federations. Lawyers and compliance officers advising sports organizations should note the potential for legal action against top officials for perceived inaction on financial misconduct, emphasizing the need for robust, transparent, and demonstrably independent ethics and compliance mechanisms to avoid similar challenges and reputational damage.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun