FIFA has imposed a six-month ban on Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, due to his conduct during a Women’s Under-20 World Cup match. The sanction was announced on Monday, following an investigation that found Eto’o guilty of breaching FIFA’s regulations related to “offensive behavior, violation of the principles of fair play, and misconduct by players and officials.”
The charges stem from Cameroon’s last-16 match against Brazil, which took place in Bogotá, Colombia, on September 11. In that match, Brazil emerged victorious with a score of 3-1 after extra time. Eto’o and the Cameroonian delegation expressed their outrage over a controversial penalty awarded to Brazil, which led to the South American team’s equalizer.
As part of the ban, the authorities prohibit Eto’o from attending any matches involving Cameroon across all age categories, both men’s and women’s. However, the suspension does not affect his position as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot).
This is not the first time Eto’o has faced disciplinary action. In July, the Confederation of African Football fined him $200,000 for violating ethics rules through a brand deal with an online gambling company.
Eto’o, who became president of Fecafoot in 2021, has also faced controversies involving his country’s sports ministry. Earlier this year, he criticized the appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the men’s national team coach, labeling it “illegal.”
The former Barcelona star’s recent troubles highlight the ongoing challenges within Cameroonian football leadership and governance, as he navigates both his role in the federation and his commitments to the sport.
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