FIFA bans Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o for six months over misconduct

Samuel Eto’o was sanctioned on Monday September 30 by FIFA Disciplinary Committee with a ban from attending Cameroonian national team matches for a period of six months. The president of the Cameroonian Football Federation is accused of his attitude during the U20 Women’s World Cup match between Brazil and Cameroon in Colombia on September 11.

FIFA accuses Samuel Eto’o of putting pressure on officials during the round of 16 lost by Cameroon against Brazil, 3-1 after extra time. The president of Fecafoot had notably contested the Brazilians’ equalizing penalty.

For FIFA, by this behavior, the former captain of Cameroon violated the principles of fair play. The six-month suspension does not concern Samuel Eto’o’s functions as president of Fecafoot, but will prevent him from attending football matches of all national selections of Cameroonian teams.

This is not the first time that Eto’o has been condemned by international sports authorities. In July 2024, he was fined $200,000 for signing a paid contract with a sports betting company. But he appealed this conviction by CAF. At the same time, Cameroonian football players accused Samuel Eto’o of rigging and manipulating matches that led to the promotion in 2023 to the first division of Victoria United of Limbe and had seized CAF and FIFA. But Samuel Eto’o was cleared of this affair in July 2024.