Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been handed a six-month suspension by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which prohibits him from attending any matches involving the Cameroon national teams. This decisive action highlights FIFA's determination to maintain discipline and integrity within the sport.
The suspension is a result of violations of Articles 13 and 14 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, which pertain to "Offensive conduct and violations of fair play principles" and "Misconduct by players and officials." These infractions are directly linked to Cameroon's recent last-16 match against Brazil, a game marked by significant controversy.
During the knockout stage match held in Bogota, Colombia, on September 11, Cameroon faced a difficult defeat, losing 3-1 after extra time. The incident that drew the ire of Eto'o and the Cameroonian delegation was a penalty awarded to Brazil, which played a crucial role in their equalizing goal and altered the game's outcome.
FIFA's ruling stipulates that Eto'o is barred from attending any matches featuring Cameroon’s national teams, including both male and female players across all age groups. Nevertheless, this disciplinary measure does not affect his role as the president of FECAFOOT. FIFA has confirmed that the decision has been communicated to the Cameroon Federation and is effective immediately.
In July, Eto'o was also fined $200,000 for an ethics violation linked to a brand deal with an online gambling firm, a ruling made by the Confederation of African Football. Since his election as president of FECAFOOT in 2021, Eto'o has encountered further conflict with his country’s sports ministry, particularly regarding their controversial appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the men's national team coach, which he has described as “illegal.”
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