Samuel Eto’o accused by Spanish authorities of tax evasion

Tax authorities in Spain claim the newly elected President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o owes nearly one million euros in taxes. According to them, the said amount was accumulated when Eto’o was playing his club football in Spain.

The FECAFOOT President’s name was published by the Spanish tax office with an amount of 981,598.19 euros attached to his name. The authorities say he was published alongside people and companies that owes taxes.

The news has so far been tagged as an attack on the former Barcelona striker with critics saying the timing of the publication shows that, it was triggered by Eto’o’s recent comments on the African Cup of Nations.

Recall that Samuel Eto’o earlier objected to a campaign by European clubs pushing Football’s governing body FIFA to postpone the African Cup of Nations.

Reacting to the demand for postponement, Eto’o said he “Will defend with the last energy the holding of this African Cup of Nations […] we are very clear about our commitment to make [the Africa Cup of Nations] a success in Cameroon. […] We will all be present in Cameroon in a few weeks.”

He further accused those behind the campaign to postpone the tournament of discrimination against African sports. “Why is the Africa Cup of Nations not being played? Give me only one valid reason! Or, we are being treated, as we have always been treated: we are less than nothing and we must always suffer.”

Do you think Eto’o is being hunted because of his insistence that the African Cup of Nations should be played? What do you think of the timing of the publication by the Spanish tax authorities?