Mueez Ajao
– Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has apologised for his part in what he described as a “violent altercation” following a match at the World Cup in Qatar.
– A video posted online appeared to show the 41-year-old, who is now president of his country’s football federation (Fecafoot), lashing out at a man.
– The incident occurred outside Stadium 974 in Doha after Monday’s last-16 match between Brazil and South Korea, which the South Americans won 4-1.
Also Read: Qatar 2022: Samuel Eto’o predicts all-African final
– Eto’o posed for several pictures with supporters before getting into an angry confrontation with another man with a video camera.
– Footage showed Eto’o advancing towards the man before he was restrained by bystanders, but he then broke free and appeared to lash out towards the man with his knee.
– “I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality,” Eto’o said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
– “I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident.”
– Eto’o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, said he was provoked by a fan who was “probably” an Algeria supporter as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment following Cameroon’s World Cup play-off win over Algeria in March.
– The Indomitable Lions qualified for the finals in Qatar on away goals after scoring in the 124th minute of the second leg in Blida, and Algeria requested a replay after filing a complaint over the performance of the referee.
– World governing body Fifa turned down the request and upheld the result.
– “I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters,” Eto’o added in his statement.
– “Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match, I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence.
– “During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans have been harassed and pestered by Algerians on the same subject.”
— Samuel Eto'o (@SamuelEtoo) December 6, 2022
– Eto’o is also an ambassador for Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which is overseeing the organisation of the World Cup alongside Fifa.
– Fecafoot and the Supreme Committee have been contacted for comment.
– Eto’o, who scored 56 goals in 118 games for Cameroon, was elected Fecafoot president in December last year.
– He also had playing spells at Real Madrid, Mallorca, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton.
