Samuel Eto’o, the current president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and a legendary former striker known for his time with clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea, has been handed a four-match suspension by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This significant disciplinary action is accompanied by an additional fine of $20,000, stemming from allegations of inappropriate behavior during the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The incident under scrutiny reportedly occurred during Cameroon’s pivotal quarter-final match against host nation Morocco. CAF’s disciplinary body observed that the 44-year-old Eto’o used inappropriate gestures during the crucial encounter, which ultimately saw Cameroon eliminated from the tournament after a 2-0 defeat to Morocco.
In response to these penalties, the Cameroon Football Federation issued a statement on January 14, expressing strong reservations about the CAF’s decision. FECAFOOT stated, “FECAFOOT notes that the procedure leading to this penalty decision causes serious concerns regarding vague reasons and the trial is not fair.” This indicates the federation’s belief that the rationale behind the suspension and fine lacks clarity and that the disciplinary process was flawed.
The CAF’s announcement of specific charges against Eto’o followed a broader investigation into cases of alleged incorrect behavior during various matches in the tournament, including the Cameroon v Morocco fixture and another involving Algeria vs. Nigeria. Notably, the CAF’s initial announcement did not specify the exact nature of the incident involving Eto’o during the match between Morocco and Cameroon.
The quarter-final clash, which was held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco, saw the host nation decisively defeat Cameroon 2-0, thereby advancing further into the competition. Morocco, a former champion in 1976, made a strong run through the tournament, ultimately reaching the final for the third time in their history. They were preparing to face Senegal in the final on January 17, having overcome Nigeria in the semi-finals after their victory against Cameroon.
