The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed a four-match suspension and a $20,000 fine to Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), over incidents connected to Cameroon’s quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FECAFOOT confirmed on Wednesday that it had received the disciplinary ruling from CAF but raised concerns about how the decision was reached. The federation said the accelerated process “raises serious questions about the fundamental requirements of a fair trial” and argued that the ruling “lacks any explicit justification.”
The sanction follows events that occurred after Cameroon’s 2-0 loss to Morocco in the AFCON quarter-finals. CAF had earlier disclosed that it was probing incidents from both the Cameroon–Morocco match and the Algeria–Nigeria clash, without initially specifying the alleged offences.
Focus later shifted to Eto’o’s behaviour in the stands during the game. The former Cameroon captain was seen reacting angrily to a controversial moment involving forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Broadcast footage showed Eto’o gesturing from the official tribune in the direction of Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, with CAF president Patrice Motsepe seated nearby.
As a result of the four-match ban, Eto’o will be prohibited from attending Cameroon’s next official CAF fixtures. The $20,000 fine—equivalent to roughly 11 million CFA francs—was also imposed on the former Barcelona striker.
Responding from Yaoundé, FECAFOOT reiterated its support for its president, stating that it remains committed to “the principles governing credible disciplinary justice,” and confirmed that it would explore legal options within the stipulated timeframe.
The latest development adds to Eto’o’s recent disciplinary history. In September 2024, FIFA’s Disciplinary Commission issued a six-month suspension against him, barring his attendance at all international matches involving Cameroon’s national teams until March 31, 2025.