Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) president, Samuel Eto’o, has been banned from attending national team matches for six months due to violations of FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, as announced by the football governing body.
The ban applies to all men’s and women’s games across various age categories, but it does not affect his role as Fecafoot president.
The incident leading to the sanction occurred during the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon on September 11, 2024, in Bogota, Colombia. FIFA’s disciplinary committee found Eto’o guilty of “offensive behaviour,” “violations of the principles of fair play,” and “misconduct” involving officials.
The charges are believed to be related to a penalty decision in the match, which led to Brazil’s equaliser before their 3-1 win after extra time.
Eto’o, a former Barcelona and Chelsea star, has faced previous sanctions, including a $200,000 fine in July for an ethics violation related to a brand deal with an online gambling firm. Additionally, he clashed with Cameroon’s sports ministry over the appointment of Belgian coach Marc Brys, which he deemed “illegal.”
Eto’o is one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers, having won the African Player of the Year award four times and the UEFA Champions League on four occasions.
However, his post-playing career has been marked by controversy, including a physical altercation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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