YAOUNDE, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto'o Fils defended his right to speak out for African football following criticism from Western media.
The response came after several European outlets reported that Eto'o was facing a complaint over alleged mismanagement of funds linked to Cameroon's friendly match against Russia in Moscow in October 2023.
In a statement posted on social media Thursday night, Eto'o dismissed the reports as a coordinated attack.
"I had only to speak up to defend our interests - Africa's interests - for them all to come out of the woodwork. Coincidentally, the same attacks and the same talking points appeared, relayed almost simultaneously by journalists aligned with them," he said.
The reports emerged shortly after Eto'o, in an interview, reiterated his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and called on African federations to unite behind the Italo-Swiss leader ahead of the upcoming FIFA elective congress.
"Those who spend their time lecturing us on democracy seem to find it much harder to accept when an African speaks freely, defends his convictions and refuses to be silenced," Eto'o said. "We have the right to speak. We have the right to defend our interests. We have the right to think for ourselves and make decisions regarding our football."
