FIFA Bans Eto’o From Attending Cameroon Matches For Six Months

Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been handed a six-month ban from attending any international matches involving Cameroon by a FIFA disciplinary panel.

The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker was penalized for breaching two articles of FIFA’s disciplinary code. The suspension relates to his conduct during Cameroon’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 match against Brazil on 11 September, which ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Cameroonians after extra time.

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FIFA stated that Eto’o’s behavior at the match in Bogotá, Colombia, violated rules concerning offensive conduct and principles of fair play. As a result, the 43-year-old is now barred from attending any football matches involving Cameroon’s national teams across all levels, both men’s and women’s.

The ban takes immediate effect, and Eto’o has been officially notified of the decision. This comes as Cameroon’s men’s team prepares to face Kenya in a double-header of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in October. Eto’o had just chaired a meeting in Douala on Monday to plan for the Harambee Stars’ visit on 11 October.

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Fecafoot has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

This is the latest in a series of sanctions against Eto’o. In July, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined him $200,000 for breaching ethics rules by signing a contract as an ambassador for betting company 1XBET. Eto’o’s lawyers announced their intention to appeal that verdict, which followed a CAF investigation that did not find enough evidence to pursue a separate charge related to match-fixing allegations.

Eto’o, who enjoyed a decorated playing career in Europe and with Cameroon, has sparked controversy since his election as Fecafoot president in 2021. Last year, a group representing amateur clubs in Cameroon called for his resignation, citing “serious irregularities” within Fecafoot. Additionally, a former teammate labeled him a “dictator” for his management style.

Eto’o was also involved in a lengthy dispute with Cameroon’s Ministry of Sport earlier this year over the appointment of Marc Brys as the new coach of the Indomitable Lions, before eventually agreeing to the Belgian’s hiring.

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