Samuel Eto’o, the legendary Cameroonian soccer star, has received a six-month ban from FIFA, prohibiting him from attending any matches involving the national teams. This suspension, announced on Monday, arises from two charges linked to an incident that occurred during the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia on September 11.
FIFA has not disclosed specific details regarding the incident that took place during the round of 16 match, where Brazil triumphed over Cameroon 3-1 in extra time. However, the governing body has cited Eto’o for engaging in “offensive behavior and breaches of the principles of fair play,” along with misconduct related to officials overseeing the match.
As a consequence of this ban, Eto’o will not be allowed to attend any matches involving Cameroon’s men’s and women’s teams across all categories and age groups. The suspension extends until March, encompassing crucial qualifying matches for the men’s national team as they aim for participation in the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
At 43 years old, Eto’o is widely recognized as a prominent figure in the soccer world, having left an indelible mark on the sport throughout his career. He has represented Cameroon in four World Cups from 1998 to 2014, missing only the 2006 tournament. Eto’o is celebrated as the all-time leading scorer for the Indomitable Lions, with a remarkable total of 56 goals. His contributions were instrumental in Cameroon’s success in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. Throughout his illustrious career, Eto’o also achieved significant milestones, including three Champions League titles, with back-to-back victories in 2009 with Barcelona and in 2010 with Inter Milan.