Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o has been given a four-game ban and fine of £15,000 after ‘unacceptable behaviour’ during his country’s AFCON defeat by Morocco.
Eto’o, 44, was was a legendary player for Cameroon and starred for Barcelona and Inter Milan during a glittering playing career before moving into the boardroom for the last four years.
During Cameroon’s quarter-final exit at the hands of the hosts last Friday, Eto’o was filmed raging at refereeing decisions.
He was sat near his Moroccan counterparts from their football association and stood up, gesticulating aggressively towards them.
For almost 30 seconds, the Cameroon FA president could be seen waving his arms in their direction, evidently furious.
Afterwards, the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) disciplinary board said he had ‘violated the principles of sportsmanship’.
Eto’o is pictured singing the national anthem prior to losing his rag during Cameroon’s clash with Morocco at AFCON last week
He was given a four-game ban and fine of £14,870 for what CAF described as ‘unacceptable behaviour’.
While the governing body did not specify what the punishment was for, it is understood to be in light of Eto’o’s behaviour in the stands.
Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Moroc Fouzi Lekjaa and CAF president Patrice Motsepe were in the seats near Eto’o when he erupted.
The Cameroon FA the decision ‘lacks any explicit justification’ and said Eto’o has their ‘unwavering support’.
Their statement read: ‘Fecafoot noted in addition that the procedure leading to this decision raised serious issues with regard to the fundamental requirements of a fair trial,’ a Fecafoot statement read.
‘Fecafoot reaffirms its unwavering support for its President and its commitment to respecting the principles governing a credible disciplinary justice system.’
Eto’o had found himself in the limelight before the tournament started, embroiled in a civil war with head coach Marc Brys.
Eto’o thought he had a mandate to sack Brys following re-election with 97 percent of the vote.
Eto’o was fined and given a four-game ban after his behaviour at the quarter-final
He appointed David Pagou to lead the team for AFCON but Brys claimed he had not received any formal information that he had been removed from the post.
Both coaches released a squad list of players for the tournament before the bizarre situation was rectified and Pagou took the team forward.
A furious Brys then told French media: ‘Eto’o has left out important players, and leaders. Because he’s obviously the one who made this list.
‘How can you go to such a tournament without a world-class goalkeeper, or without Aboubakar? Because these are players with character, who stand up to the president.’
Cameroon were dumped out of AFCON by the hosts 2-0 at the quarter-final stage after Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari’s goals.
The victors then defeated Nigeria on penalties on Wednesday evening to set up a final with Senegal.
