Former Cameroon football icon Samuel Eto’o has been suspended for four matches and fined $20,000 (£14,960) after a Confederation of African Football (Caf) disciplinary panel found him guilty of misconduct.
In a statement, Caf said Eto’o, who currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), breached the organization’s principles of sportsmanship during Cameroon’s 2026 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat to Morocco. The Indomitable Lions lost 2–0 to the tournament hosts.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker was reportedly seen making angry gestures in protest against decisions by match officials during the game. Caf president Patrice Motsepe, who was present at the stadium in Rabat, is believed to have witnessed Eto’o’s reactions.
Earlier this week, Caf announced it had opened an investigation into what it described as “violent confrontations and unacceptable behaviour” involving players and officials during several quarter-final matches.
Fecafoot has strongly criticized Caf’s ruling, arguing that the disciplinary process failed to meet “the fundamental requirements of a fair trial.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the federation voiced its support for Eto’o and indicated that he is likely to appeal the sanction.
Since taking office in 2021, Eto’o’s tenure as federation president has been marked by repeated controversies that have tarnished his reputation as one of Africa’s greatest footballers. He has faced allegations of misconduct, governance failures, and serious irregularities within Fecafoot.
Eto’o has consistently denied the accusations, pointing instead to what he describes as significant achievements during his leadership of Cameroonian football.
