The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially suspended Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), for four matches. The decision follows a series of incidents during Cameroon’s quarter-final exit against Morocco on January 9.
In a statement released on Thursday, CAF found the legendary former striker guilty of “violating the principles of sportsmanship” and “improper conduct” during the Indomitable Lions’ 2-0 defeat in Rabat.
The Incident: What Happened in the Stands? While CAF’s official statement did not detail the specific trigger, reports from the international press suggest a physical altercation. Eto’o allegedly punched Ahmed Yahya a CAF Executive Committee member and president of the Mauritanian Federation in the chest.
The tension reportedly sparked over the appointment of a Mauritanian referee for the Cameroon vs. Morocco clash. Eto’o allegedly accused Yahya of conspiring to favor the host nation. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star was also seen gesturing aggressively toward CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Moroccan Federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa during the match.
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Sanctions and FECAFOOT’s Response Beyond the four-match ban, Eto’o has been fined approximately €17,000. FECAFOOT has already responded, calling the decision “unjustified” and lacking clear legal grounds. The federation confirmed that Eto’o will exercise his right to appeal.
What this means for Cameroon: Eto’o will be barred from attending Cameroon’s next four competitive African matches. This controversy adds another layer of drama to an AFCON tournament already marked by disciplinary investigations, including separate incidents during the Nigeria vs. Algeria quarter-final.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
