Cameroon’s football president, Samuel Eto’o, has received a 6-month ban from FIFA for breaching its disciplinary regulations.
The former Barcelona striker, who has led the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) since 2021, is now barred from all international matches involving Cameroon’s men’s and women’s teams, across various age groups.
The ban is linked to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon held in Bogota, Colombia, on 11 September 2024. During the game, which Cameroon lost 3-1 after extra time, tensions flared over a penalty that allowed Brazil to equalize.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee found Eto’o guilty of “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct” involving officials, breaching articles 13 and 14 of their disciplinary code.
FIFA banned Samuel Eto’o for six months following offensive behavior at a recent match.
Here’s the full story. pic.twitter.com/HzaktWEJA0
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) October 1, 2024
Despite the ban, which comes into effect immediately, Eto’o remains the president of Fecafoot. Cameroon’s head coach Hassan Balla had already criticized the refereeing in the match. Eto’o can appeal the decision.
This incident isn’t the first controversy for the 43-year-old ex-Chelsea player. Earlier in July, Eto’o was fined $200,000 for a brand deal deemed an ethics violation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Additionally, he clashed with Cameroon’s sports ministry over their appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the men’s national team coach, which Eto’o labeled “illegal.”
Eto’o’s illustrious career saw him crowned four-time African Player of the Year and winning the UEFA Champions League on four occasions with three different clubs.
