Former Everton star banned by FIFA and handed six-month suspension from attending games

Cameroon football chief and ex-Everton star Samuel Eto’o has been banned by FIFA following the Women’s Under-20 World Cup, with the forward also handed a further sanction

Samuel Eto’o, the head of Cameroon football, has received a six-month suspension from attending national team matches due to a FIFA ban. The former Everton and Barcelona star breached FIFA’s disciplinary code, the football body confirmed.

His offences stem from his conduct after Cameroon’s Women’s Under-20 World Cup last-16 defeat by Brazil, with extra time seeing the South Americans triumph 3-1. While FIFA’s disciplinary committee did not publicise the specifics, they announced that Eto’o was found guilty of “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” alongside “misconduct” in dealings with match officials.

Eto’o and his countrymen were upset over a penalty that paved the way for Brazil’s equalising goal in the contest. Although Eto’o is barred from game attendance, this does not affect his capacity as president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), a position he’s occupied since 2021.

FIFA stated that the penalty would take immediate effect, adding that Eto’o has the right to appeal their ruling. Cameroon’s men are set to play a pair of matches against Kenya in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for October.

In addition, earlier on Monday, Eto’o presided over a meeting in Douala to discuss plans for the upcoming fixtures against the Harambee Stars, reports the Mirror.

The former Chelsea player has not been without controversy; in July, he faced a hefty $200,000 (£150,000) fine for an unauthorised brand deal with an online gambling company, breaching the Confederation of African Football’s code of conduct. Additionally, he’s clashed with his own country’s sports administration by criticising the “illegal” hiring of Belgian Marc Brys as coach of the men’s national squad earlier this year.