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CAF banned Samuel Eto’o from attending the next four CAF matches and fined him $20,000 for breaching fair-play rules.
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CAF based the sanction on official reports and video evidence linked to the Cameroon–Morocco AFCON quarterfinal.
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The Cameroonian Football Federation said it will appeal, citing lack of motivation and due-process concerns.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed a disciplinary sanction on Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), following his conduct during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal between Cameroon and Morocco.
CAF sanctioned Eto’o after the match played on Jan. 9 in Rabat, which Morocco won 2–0.
In a statement published on its website on Jan. 15, 2026, CAF said its disciplinary jury found the Cameroonian football official “guilty of violating the principles of fair play,” as defined by CAF’s Statutes and Disciplinary Code.
CAF imposed a stadium ban on Eto’o for the next four official CAF matches under AFCON 2025. CAF also imposed a fine of $20,000, or more than CFA11 million.
CAF issued the sanction following an investigation opened on Jan. 12 after incidents reported during the Cameroon–Morocco match.
CAF said it relied on official match reports and video footage showing behavior potentially contrary to regulations and sporting ethics.
Fecafoot Denounces an “Unsubstantiated” Decision
Fecafoot responded immediately to the sanction.
In a statement dated Jan. 14, 2026, the Cameroonian federation challenged the decision. Fecafoot said the sanction was “devoid of any explicit motivation” and said the “expedited procedure” raised “serious concerns with regard to the fundamental requirements of a fair trial.”
The federation raised further questions after CAF announced, on Jan. 12, the opening of a disciplinary investigation into the Algeria–Nigeria match for similar incidents. CAF had not published a decision on that case at the time of publication.
Nigeria defeated Algeria 2–0 in that match.
A handball by Nigerian player Junior Ajayi in the penalty area after a cross by Farès Chaibi could have resulted in a penalty. The incident triggered tensions at the final whistle.
Players and staff from both teams clashed on the pitch. Security personnel escorted the referee off the field.
Videos shared on social media also showed clashes between Algerian supporters and stadium stewards in the stands. Security forces intervened in the mixed zone after altercations involving journalists.
The Cameroon–Morocco match did not reach the same level of violence. However, Cameroonian players and officials protested an alleged missed penalty following a foul on Bryan Mbeumo inside the penalty area.
During the match, Samuel Eto’o appeared visibly agitated in the official stands amid intense controversy over refereeing decisions.
The defeat eliminated Cameroon from the tournament.
Fecafoot said its president intends to pursue appeals “within the prescribed time limits and procedures.” CAF did not detail the specific actions attributed to Eto’o and referred only to “misconduct.”
A Previous FIFA Sanction
This case does not mark the first disciplinary action against Samuel Eto’o.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee previously banned him from attending matches involving Cameroonian national teams for six months.
In a statement published on Sept. 30, 2024, FIFA said Eto’o violated Article 13 (“offensive behavior and violations of fair-play principles”) and Article 14 (“misconduct of players and officials”) of its Disciplinary Code.
The sanction followed the U20 Women’s World Cup round-of-16 match between Brazil and Cameroon, played on Sept. 11, 2024, in Bogotá. Brazil won 3–1, eliminating Cameroon.
After the match, Eto’o publicly criticized the refereeing, which led FIFA to impose the ban.
The new sanction has reignited debate over African football governance, disciplinary transparency, and relations between CAF and certain national federations.
The dispute could now move into a legal phase. Fecafoot may seize CAF’s internal bodies and, if internal appeals fail, refer the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
This article was initially published in French by Patricia Ngo Ngouem
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum