Head of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o, has received a six-month ban from attending matches involving the national teams due to breaches of FIFA’s disciplinary rules according to an announcement from the governing body of football.
Eto’o, a former striker for Barcelona, has been leading Fecafoot since 2021 and will now be prohibited from attending all men’s and women’s matches across different age categories during this period.
“The sanction was imposed in connection with 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.
Details regarding the incidents were not disclosed by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. The statement said Eto’o was deemed guilty of “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct” involving officials.
The charges stem from Cameroon’s recent knockout match against Brazil, which ended in a 3-1 defeat for Cameroon after extra time. During the game, Eto’o and the Cameroon delegation were incensed by a penalty decision that allowed Brazil to equalise.
Although Eto’o, aged 43 and a former player for Chelsea in the English Premier League, is banned from attending any national matches—regardless of gender or age—this sanction does not impact his presidency at Fecafoot.
Earlier this year, Eto’o faced a fine of $200,000 imposed by the Confederation of African Football for engaging in a branding deal with an online gambling company, which was deemed an ethical violation.
Additionally, he has been at odds with the sports ministry in Cameroon over their appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the men’s team coach, which Eto’o deemed “illegal.”
As a four-time African Player of the Year, Eto’o is recognised as Cameroon’s second-most capped player, following Rigobert Song. His club career was marked by significant success, including winning the Champions League four times with three different clubs.
In a controversial incident during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he was captured on video in a physical altercation with a man outside a stadium following a tense exchange.