Former Barcelona and Chelsea star handed six-month ban by FIFA from attending national team matches
- The sanction relates to rule violations during the Women’s Football Under-20 World Cup
- Cameroon were defeated 3-1 by Brazil in the last 16 leg after extra time
- LISTEN NOW: It all starts!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o has been banned from attending national team matches by FIFA for six months.
The 43-year-old has been president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) since 2021, seeing several controversial incidents during his tenure.
He was sanctioned by FIFA for breaching two articles of the governing body’s disciplinary code.
A FIFA statement confirmed that the breaches took place around a FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup last 16 match between Brazil and Cameroon.
Brazil defeated Cameroon 3-1 after extra time in the match, which took place in Bogata, Colombia.
Samuel Eto’o has been banned from attending national team matches by FIFA for six months
Eto’o has been punished for violating the rules during the Women’s Under-20 World Cup
No details were provided on the nature of the incidents that led to his ban.
‘The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a six-month ban on the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, from attending matches of Cameroon’s representative teams for violation of Article 13 (Aggressive conduct and violation of the Principles of Fair Play) and 14 (Misconduct of Players and Officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” a FIFA statement said.
‘The sanction was imposed in connection with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon, played in Bogotá, Colombia, on 11 September 2024.
‘The ban imposed on Mr Eto’o prevents him from attending men’s and women’s matches involving FECAFOOT teams of all categories and age groups.’
FIFA added that Eto’o had been informed and the decision took effect immediately.
The ex-Cameroon Football Federation striker’s leadership has seen several controversies
Eto’o has been sanctioned less than three months after he was fined $200,000 (£150,000) by the Confederation of African Football for breaches of ethics rules.
The continental body had found that Eto’o had ‘seriously breached the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship’ by signing a contract as an ambassador for gambling company 1XBET.
Eto’o’s lawyers confirmed he would appeal the sanction.
The three-time Champions League winner was accused of alleged manipulation of football matches.
The CAF disciplinary body ruled that there was “insufficient evidence” to find Eto’o guilty.
One of the greatest Cameroonian footballers of all time, Eto’o scored 56 goals in 118 caps for his country.
After a hugely impressive career for the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, the former striker – who won the Champions League three times and AFCON twice – took over the presidency of Fecafoot in December 2021.
Eto’o is widely regarded as one of the best African footballers of all time
There have been several controversies during his tenure, including a public dispute with the Cameroonian Ministry of Sports over the appointment of Marc Brys as manager of the national team.
Eto’o had an explosive confrontation with Brys in May, which saw him sack the Belgian, before later apologizing and reinstating the coach.
The 43-year-old also apologized after an incident at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitting a “violent altercation” after he was filmed kneeing a man in the face.
Meanwhile, he pleaded guilty to $3.8 million (£2.96 million) in tax fraud in June 2022 in relation to his image rights while in Barcelona, with Eto’o given a 22-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of $1.8 million (£1.4 million). .
