Cameroon and Barcelona great Samuel Eto’o banned by FIFA

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

The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker was sanctioned following breaches of two key articles in FIFA’s disciplinary code.

The ban stems from Eto’o’s involvement in Cameroon’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 match against Brazil, held on 11 September in Bogota, Colombia.

Cameroon lost the game 3-1 after extra time.

FIFA stated that the breaches included violations of offensive behaviour, misconduct of officials, and violations of fair play principles.

The disciplinary panel decided to impose the ban with immediate effect, preventing Eto’o from attending all matches involving Cameroon’s national teams, both men’s and women’s, across all categories and age groups.

FIFA emphasised that Eto’o had already been notified of the decision.

This adds to the former striker’s challenging tenure as Fecafoot president, a position he has held since December 2021.

Cameroon’s men’s national team is scheduled to face Kenya in a crucial double-header next month for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Eto’o had recently chaired a meeting in Douala to discuss preparations for the games.

This is not Eto’o’s first disciplinary issue. In July, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined him $200,000 for signing a contract with betting company 1XBET.

The panel found that Eto’o had “seriously violated the principles of ethics, integrity, and sportsmanship.” His legal team has since indicated plans to appeal the ruling.

Despite a glittering playing career, Eto’o has faced increasing criticism since assuming his leadership role at Fecafoot.

His tenure has seen accusations of mismanagement, with some calling for his resignation over “grave irregularities.”

Eto’o has also clashed with Cameroon’s Ministry of Sport regarding the appointment of Belgian coach Marc Brys, before eventually accepting the decision earlier this year.