Ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o has been banned by FIFA from attending his country’s international matches.
The Cameroonian, who was appointed the President of the Cameroonian soccer federation in 2021, was charged with two different offences of breaking disciplinary rules during the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup match between Cameroon and Brazil in Colombia on Sept 11, 2024.
FIFA clarified the disciplinary action was due to his offensive behavior and violation of the code of conduct for football officials during the tournament.
“Eto’o was judged to have broken disciplinary rules relating to offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play and misconduct of officials.
“The ban imposed on Mr. Eto’o prevents him from attending men’s and women’s matches involving (Cameroon) teams of all categories and age groups,” FIFA said in a statement.
The ban is going to prevent the Cameroon football legend from attending Cameroon matches for six months. This means he will miss his country’s 2026 World Cup and 2025 African Cup Of Nations qualifying games. Also, he is temporarily suspended from his role as Cameroon Football Federation President until the expiration of the ban.
However, sources close to the football chief say he is ready to appeal the penalty, following the lack of evidence from the investigation by the prosecutors.
Samuel Eto’o controversies since he became Cameroon Football Federation in 2021
Eto’o’s recent travails follow a run of controversies, corruption and match-fixing scandals that have been linked to him since he became FECAFOOT President.
In March 2024, he got into an altercation with Belgian coach Marc Brys who was appointed to take charge of the national team, by the country’s Ministry of Sports without Eto’o’s consent.
The appointment didn’t sit well with Eto’o, who believed only the Cameroon Football Federation had the power to appoint the National coach.
The former Barcelona forward then invited the Belgian to a “working session”, to help Cameroon prepare for the country’s upcoming World Cup qualifier. Brys was accompanied by several members of his entourage, appointed by the sports ministry. Upon arrival, Samuel Eto’o restricted Brys’ entourage from entering the Cameroon Football Federation headquarters.
The 43-year-old was seen confronting the Belgian and his entourage after kicking one of Brys’ entourage members out of the room.
Then there was an aggressive verbal exchange between him and Brys which ended with the Belgian eventually leaving the room.
Following the fallout, an emergency meeting was convened in a bid to resolve the issue. It was later concluded that the Belgian appointed by the Ministry of Sports had to be sacked, and former coach Martin Ndtoungou was to take his place in the interim.
Samuel Eto’o’s bribery scandal
Eto’o was also accused of corruption allegations in 2023. He was on the watchlist of FIFA and CAF after leaked WhatsApp messages, emails, letters and audio recordings showed him allegedly supporting match-fixing and other illegal acts.
He was investigated for illegal involvement with a sports betting company which violated statutory codes for football officials.
Samuel Eto’o’s match-fixing scandal
Allegations were also made against Eto’o for allegedly helping a club rise to the top of the Cameroonian league. This is also investigated separately by CAF and FIFA and could lead to the football icon being banned for life if found guilty.
