Samuel Eto’o wins appeal as CAF withdraws sanctions over Cameroon-Morocco quarter-final

Samuel Eto’o has had a four-match suspension and a $20,000 fine overturned after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) accepted an appeal relating to Cameroon’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Morocco.

The Cameroon Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday that CAF’s Appeal Committee had cancelled all the penalties imposed on its president, along with the legal consequences attached to the original ruling.

The case arose from the match between Cameroon and Morocco, played on 9 January in the quarter-finals of the tournament. The decision brings the disciplinary proceedings against Eto’o to an end and removes the sanctions entirely.

CAF’s Disciplinary Committee had previously found Eto’o guilty of breaching the continental governing body’s regulations concerning integrity, sportsmanship and loyalty. Its original punishment consisted of a four-match ban and a $20,000 financial penalty.

The disciplinary action followed Eto’o’s objections to refereeing decisions during the contest. He was seen protesting from the official stands at Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat as Cameroon faced the hosts.

Reports also alleged that Eto’o became involved in a confrontation with one of the officials after the final whistle. The Cameroon Football Federation’s statement referred to the incident as the matter connected with the quarter-final, but no further details were provided about the alleged exchange.

Cameroon’s football authorities rejected the initial punishment from the outset. They described the measures against Eto’o as unjustified and subsequently lodged a formal appeal with CAF.

That appeal has now been upheld in full by the Appeal Committee, which ruled that all of the sanctions should be annulled.

The decision means the original suspension and fine no longer stand. CAF’s ruling also removes the legal effects that would have followed from the disciplinary committee’s decision.

Eto’o, a former Cameroon international and the federation’s president, had been sanctioned in connection with his conduct during and after the match rather than for an incident involving his playing career. The proceedings focused on his reaction to the officiating during Cameroon’s meeting with Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cameroon Football Federation said the Appeal Committee’s decision was issued after considering the challenge to the earlier ruling. It did not announce any additional punishment or replacement measure.

The original case had centred on the events at Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 9 January, when Cameroon played Morocco in the last eight of the competition. Following the latest decision, the disciplinary measures handed down by CAF have been cancelled completely.