Eto’o Banned for Misconduct at U-20 Women’s World Cup

Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been banned from attending Cameroon’s matches for the next six months for violating conduct rules during the recent U-20 Women’s World Cup, where his national team faced Brazil in the round of 16.Eto’o Banned for Misconduct at U-20 Women’s World Cup

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, Eto’o was found to have breached articles 13 (“Offensive behavior and violations of fair play principles”) and 14 (“Misconduct of players and officials”) of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.

Eto’o handed six-month ban
The sanction stems specifically from the match between Brazil and Cameroon, held on September 11 in Bogotá, Colombia. As a result, Eto’o will be prohibited from attending any matches involving Cameroon’s national teams, both male and female, across all age groups.

“Mr Eto’o has been notified today, the date on which the sanction comes into force,” stated the FIFA press release.

The 43-year-old is now prevented from attending all football matches involving men’s and women’s representative sides from Cameroon, covering all categories and age groups.

Fifa said the sanction would come into force immediately and that Eto’o had been notified of the decision.

Cameroon’s men face Kenya in a qualification double-header for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in October.

Eto’o had chaired a meeting in Douala earlier on Monday to discuss preparations ahead of the visit of the Harambee Stars on 11 October.

This is not the first time Eto’o has faced controversy. He previously drew attention for his behavior towards players and national team coach Marc Brys, whom he allegedly threatened in front of cameras if his directives were not followed. During the Qatar World Cup, the former Real Madrid, Mallorca, and Barcelona player made headlines again after assaulting a fan who filmed him outside a stadium after a match.

Eto’o enjoyed a glittering playing career both in Europe and with Cameroon but has provoked controversy since being elected as Fecafoot president in 2021.

Last year a group representing amateur clubs in Cameroon called on the 43-year-old to resign, citing “grave irregularities” at Fecafoot, while Eto’o was described as a “dictator” by one former international team-mate because of the way he has steered the organisation.

Eto’o was involved in a long-running dispute with the nation’s Ministry of Sport over the naming of Marc Brys as coach of the Indomitable Lions earlier this year before eventually accepting the Belgian’s appointment