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FIFA Imposes Six-Month Ban on Samuel Eto’o Following Misconduct at Women’s Under-20 World Cup
Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), has been suspended for six months by FIFA due to violations of disciplinary regulations during a recent match at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup. The ban, which prohibits him from attending any national team games, both men's and women's, across all age categories, was announced by FIFA on Monday.
The disciplinary action stems from an incident that occurred during the round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon on September 11, 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia. In this match, Brazil emerged victorious with a 3-1 win after extra time. While FIFA did not disclose specific details regarding Eto'o's behavior, they stated that he was found guilty of "offensive behavior" and violations of the principles of fair play, as well as misconduct involving officials.
Eto’o's reaction to a controversial penalty that led to Brazil's equalizer reportedly contributed to the disciplinary proceedings against him. Despite this suspension from matches, Eto’o will retain his position as Fecafoot president.
This is not the first time Eto’o has faced scrutiny during his tenure as president; he was previously fined $200,000 for an ethics violation related to a sponsorship deal with an online gambling company. Additionally, he has had conflicts with Cameroon’s sports ministry regarding coaching appointments.
A celebrated figure in football, Eto’o is recognized as one of Africa's most accomplished players, having represented Cameroon in four World Cups and winning multiple Champions League titles with clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan. His recent actions, particularly this ban, pose significant challenges to his leadership role in Cameroonian football.