CAF Slaps Samuel Eto'o with Four-Match Stadium Ban and $20,000 Fine.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a significant disciplinary sanction on Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and former football legend, following his behavior during Cameroon's quarter-final defeat to hosts Morocco at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
In an official statement released on Thursday, CAF's Disciplinary Board found Eto'o guilty of violating the principles of sportsmanship outlined in Article 2(3) of the CAF Statutes and Article 82 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The incident occurred during the match held on January 9, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Morocco secured a 2-0 victory over Cameroon.
Eto'o has been barred from attending the next four official CAF matches involving Cameroon in the ongoing AFCON tournament. This effectively prevents him from being present in the stands or dugout areas for Cameroon's remaining fixtures—if any—or future continental commitments under CAF auspices.
A fine of USD 20,000 has been levied against him personally.
CAF emphasized that it would make no further comments on the matter beyond the published decision
Reports and footage from the game showed Eto'o displaying visible frustration—reportedly including gestures directed toward match officials—amid contentious refereeing decisions that contributed to Cameroon's exit from the competition. The former Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Cameroon national team captain, who has been FECAFOOT president since December 2021, was seated in the VIP area during the match.
This is not the first time Eto'o has faced scrutiny since taking office. His tenure has been marked by several controversies, including previous allegations and disputes, though he has consistently denied wrongdoing in past cases.
