Football News
Samuel Eto'o receives a 6-month suspension from FIFA
Samuel Eto'o will serve a 6-month suspension.
Since his arrival as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) in 2021, Samuel Eto'o has continued to be talked about, but not always for the right reasons. This September 30, 2024, FIFA imposed a heavy sanction on the former Cameroon international: a six-month suspension prohibiting him from attending matches of Cameroon's representative teams, all categories combined, both men's and women's.
“ The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto'o, with a ban on attending matches of Cameroon's representative teams for a period of six months, for having violated Articles 13 (Offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play) and 14 (Incorrectness of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code », Specified the governing body of football in a press release, before adding that “ The ban imposed on Mr. Eto'o will prevent him from attending men's and women's football matches involving FECAFOOT representative teams, in any category or age group. »
Read also: CAF: XXL fine for Samuel Eto'o
If the exact reasons which justified this decision remain unclear for the moment, this sanction follows incidents that occurred during the round of 16 of the U-20 Women's World Cup, which pitted Cameroon against Brazil in Bogotá on the 11th. September 2024. The Lioncelles were eliminated following an eventful match, marred by numerous incidents of play.
New episode in a series of controversies
For Eto'o, this suspension adds to a series of controversies which mark his presidency. Between tensions with Cameroonian political figures and disagreements with certain key players of the national team, such as André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar, not to mention his standoff with coach Marc Brys, supported by the Ministry of Sports, this new affair fuels the criticism of his detractors. Especially since it comes at a crucial time for Cameroon, in full preparation for the 3rd and 4th qualifying days for CAN 2025.
Eto'o, who chaired a meeting ahead of the Cameroon – Kenya match scheduled for October 11, will therefore be absent during this decisive meeting. A hard blow which relaunches the debate on his management as president of Fcafoot and on the impact of his decisions on Cameroonian football.