Fresh details have emerged over the incident that led to the suspension and fine handed to Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o, with sources indicating that a heated exchange with Mauritanian FA president Ahmed Yahya over refereeing decisions proved decisive in CAF’s disciplinary action.
According to information obtained from within the Confederation of African Football, Eto’o confronted Yahya in the stands during Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat to Morocco, directing sharp criticism at the officiating of Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida.
The comments, made in the immediate aftermath of contentious decisions during the match, were deemed by CAF officials to constitute misconduct under competition regulations.
CAF subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings against the former Cameroon striker, culminating in a four-match suspension and a $20,000 fine.
The governing body confirmed that the sanctions followed an internal review of reports submitted after the match, although it stopped short of publicly outlining the precise wording used by Eto’o during the altercation.
The punishment marks a significant moment in Eto’o’s tenure as FECAFOOT president, coming amid heightened scrutiny over conduct by senior football administrators during the ongoing tournament.
Cameroon had exited the competition after a 2-0 loss to hosts Morocco, a result that sparked visible frustration among officials and supporters.
FECAFOOT has reacted strongly to the decision, questioning both the speed of the process and the lack of detailed justification accompanying the ruling.
In a statement, the federation said it had formally acknowledged the January 14, 2026 decision of CAF’s disciplinary committee, but maintained that the sanctions were imposed without explicit reasoning.
The Cameroonian body further argued that the expedited nature of the proceedings raises serious concerns about adherence to the principles of due process and fair hearing.
It confirmed that Eto’o intends to exhaust all available appeal mechanisms provided under CAF statutes within the stipulated timelines.
Despite the setback, FECAFOOT reiterated its full support for its president, stressing its commitment to disciplinary justice that is transparent, proportionate and credible.
