FIFA imposes six-month ban on Samuel Eto’o over fair play violations

The world football governing body, FIFA, has handed down a six-month ban to Cameroonian Football Association President Samuel Eto’o, prohibiting him from attending matches involving Cameroon’s national teams.

This disciplinary action follows Eto’o’s conduct during the U-20 Women’s World Cup round of 16 game between Cameroon and Brazil on September 11.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the President of the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, with a six-month ban from attending matches of Cameroon’s representative teams,” FIFA stated.

Eto’o, a legendary former Barcelona and Chelsea forward, breached articles 13 (Offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) and 14 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The ban takes immediate effect, coinciding with Cameroon’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualification double-header against Kenya in October.

This is not Eto’o’s first sanction this year. In July, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined him $200,000 for violating ethics principles by signing a Brand Ambassador contract with a betting organization.

The CAF Disciplinary Board found Eto’o guilty of “seriously violating the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship” as outlined in Article 2, paragraph 3 of the CAF Statutes.