Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o has been handed a six-month ban by FIFA, preventing him from attending any national team games until March. The sanction comes after an incident during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia on September 11, where Brazil defeated Cameroon 3-1 in the round of 16 after extra time.
Although FIFA has not disclosed the specifics of the incident, the organization stated that Eto’o, who has been the president of the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021, was found guilty of “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play” as well as misconduct involving officials. This breach of disciplinary rules has led to his exclusion from all matches involving Cameroon’s men’s and women’s teams, across all categories and age groups.
The timing of the ban means Eto’o will be absent during critical national team games, including qualifiers for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His absence will be felt deeply, as Eto’o remains one of Cameroon’s most iconic figures in football, both for his contributions on the field and his leadership off it.
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During his illustrious playing career, the 43-year-old forward represented Cameroon in four World Cups (1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014), missing only the 2006 tournament. He remains the nation’s top scorer with 56 goals and was a key player in Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations triumphs in 2000 and 2002. Eto’o also enjoyed great success in Europe, winning three Champions League titles—two with Barcelona in 2009 and one with Inter Milan in 2010—cementing his reputation as one of the best forwards of his generation.
Eto’o’s leadership role as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation has been marked by both praise and controversy, and this latest ban underscores the complexities of his position. Despite the setback, many within the football community continue to recognize his contributions to the game, though this incident serves as a reminder that even legends must adhere to the standards of sportsmanship and professionalism.
As Eto’o serves his suspension, the focus will shift to how Cameroon’s national teams navigate the upcoming competitions without their iconic leader in attendance, and how the football great will respond to this chapter in his post-playing career.
