Cameroon Football Manager; Samuel Eto’o Apologises For ‘Violent Altercation’

Former Cameroon striker and current head of the nation’s football association, Samuel Eto’o, has apologized for a “violent incident” he had with a fan on Monday as he was leaving a World Cup game.

An early-morning Tuesday tweet from the Los Angeles-based Spanish-language newspaper La Opinion purported to show Eto’o fighting with a man who was holding a camera outside Doha’s Stadium 974.

According to the report that went along with the incident, the 41-year-old four-time African Player of the Year attacked the man as he was on the ground in the ensuing brawl after reacting violently when he was approached by him.

“After the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter,” Eto’o said in a statement on Twitter.

“I would like to apologize for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologize to the public for this unfortunate incident.”

During the final two-leg African qualifier for Qatar in March, Cameroon defeated Algeria on away goals and advanced to the World Cup in thrilling fashion thanks to an extra-time winner in the second game.

Eto’o was named a “global ambassador” for the Supreme Committee in 2019. Eto’o had a long career at the top of the sport, spending significant amounts of time at Barcelona and Inter Milan.

Even though Cameroon defeated Brazil 1-0 in their final World Cup encounter, they were eliminated in the group stage.

“Since the Cameroon-Algeria match on 29 March in Blida, I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence,” Eto’o added. “During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans have been harassed and pestered by Algerians on the same subject. I would like to mention that the scenario of Algeria’s defeat was cruel, but perfectly in line with the rules and ethics of our sport.”

Eto’o pointed out that the Algerian Football Federation’s appeals about the qualifier’s outcome had all been denied.

“I, therefore, call on the Algerian authorities and Federation to take their responsibilities to put an end to this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragedy occurs,” he said.

The World Cup’s organizing body, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, made no immediate comments.