In a recent move by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Samuel Eto’o, the president of Cameroon’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT), was suspended for four matches following allegations of improper conduct observed during the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal game where Cameroon was defeated by Morocco.
FECAFOOT made an official statement on Wednesday acknowledging CAF’s disciplinary committee’s verdict which included not only the suspension but also a $20,000 monetary penalty. However, the federation highlighted a notable absence of explicit details justifying these sanctions.
The federation emphasized the concerns regarding the swift procedures that culminated in this decision, questioning whether the essential principles of a fair trial were adequately maintained throughout the disciplinary process.
Earlier in the week, CAF announced a probe into the events surrounding the quarterfinal matches involving Cameroon versus Morocco and Algeria versus Nigeria, though specific incidents relating directly to the Cameroon-Morocco game were not detailed.
The primary point of contention publicly identified was the conduct of Eto’o, who was witnessed making animated gestures towards Fouzi Lekjaa, the Moroccan football official, during the match. The CAF president Patrice Motsepe was in close proximity at the time, underscoring the significance of the confrontational exchanges.
Despite these developments, FECAFOOT has reiterated its unwavering support for Eto’o, reinforcing its dedication to upholding transparent and credible disciplinary justice within African football governance.