Fecafoot president, Eto’o, barred from Cameroon matches for six months

Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been banned from attending national team matches for six months after violating FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, the global football governing body announced.

The former Barcelona striker, who has led Fecafoot since 2021, will be barred from all men’s and women’s games across various age groups during his suspension.

“The sanction was imposed following the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon, played in Bogota, Colombia, on 11 September 2024,” FIFA said in a statement on Monday.

While FIFA’s disciplinary committee did not disclose specific details of the incident, Eto’o was found guilty of “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct” involving match officials.

The charges relate to Cameroon’s 3-1 extra-time loss to Brazil in the last-16 match.

The 43-year-old football legend, who also played for Chelsea in the English Premier League, would not be allowed to attend any Cameroon national team matches, at any level.

However, the ban does not affect his role as Fecafoot president.

This was not Eto’o’s first disciplinary issue.

In July, he was fined US$200,000 for an ethics violation involving a brand deal with an online gambling firm, as ruled by the Confederation of African Football.

Additionally, Eto’o clashed with Cameroon’s sports ministry earlier this year, calling the appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the men’s team coach “illegal.”

Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year, was the second most-capped player in Cameroon’s history, behind Rigobert Song.

He enjoyed a highly successful club career, winning the Champions League four times with three different teams.

In 2022, Eto’o was involved in a controversial incident during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he was filmed attacking a man outside a stadium after a heated exchange.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.