Samuel Eto’o is caught up in Spanish justice for stories that date back more than 10 years now. A true football star and icon in his country of origin, Cameroon, the 41-year-old former player is one of the greatest African players in the history of his sport, alongside Didier Drogba or Mohamed Salah. If he begins his career at Real Madrid, it is with the Barcelona rival that he will experience his best years. For 5 years, from 2004 to 2009, the striker will crush Europe with Lionel Messi, notably winning two Champions Leagues.
If everything was going for the best at this period sportingly for Samuel Eto’o, behind the scenes, the player was not really acting in the best way… Accused by the Spanish courts of tax evasion between 2006 and 2009, the former footballer would have forgotten to declare 3.8 million euros to the Spanish Treasury. During his trial, the Cameroonian pleaded guilty to the acts of which he is accused and the Spanish justice delivered its verdict yesterday and it is very heavy since the sportsman is sentenced to 22 months in prison and fined 1.8 million euros for tax evasion. His agent at the time, José Maria Mesalles was also sentenced in this case to 1 year in prison.
I recognize the facts and I will pay, but let it be known that I was a child at the time
If the sanction may seem very heavy, Samuel Eto’o is doing quite well since the prosecution had requested 4 years in prison against him. In addition, for sentences of less than 2 years, the accused are only rarely incarcerated and Georgette Eto’o’s husband should not end up behind bars. After the judgment, the one who became president of the Cameroon Football Federation last January was kind enough to speak. “I recognize the facts and I will pay, but let it be known that I was a child at the time and that I always did what my father asked me to do”he said in reference to his former agent, whom he considered a father.