Samuel Etoos CAF ban and fine overturned after AFCON 2025 incident

Samuel Eto’o has been cleared of all sanctions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after an appeal against a four-match stadium ban and $20,000 fine linked to an incident during Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-final against Morocco.

The CAF Appeals Committee ruled in Eto’o’s favour on 5 August 2026, cancelling the suspension, the fine and all associated legal effects.

Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), had been sanctioned after an incident during Cameroon’s match against Morocco at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 9 January 2026.

The former striker was seen gesturing angrily towards Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, while CAF president Patrice Motsepe was reportedly present.

According to journalist Romain Molina, Eto’o also had a heated exchange with an official after the final whistle.

CAF announced on 12 January that it had opened an investigation into “violent confrontations and unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials” during the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final matches. The governing body did not initially identify the people involved.

However, on 15 January, the CAF Disciplinary Board found Eto’o guilty of breaching the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship. The ruling cited Article 2(3) of the CAF Statutes and Article 82 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The original punishment prevented Eto’o from attending Cameroon team matches for the next four official CAF fixtures and included a fine of $20,000, approximately R320,000.

FECAFOOT rejected that decision publicly, arguing that the expedited disciplinary process was “devoid of any explicit justification” and raised “serious concerns regarding the fundamental requirements of a fair trial.”

The Cameroonian federation expressed its “unwavering support” for Eto’o and said it intended to appeal. Its response also implicitly accused CAF of taking Morocco’s side in the matter.

Following the successful appeal, FECAFOOT said it “takes note of this decision by the CAF Appeal Jury, which thereby upholds its independence and its determination to apply the law with complete objectivity.”

The federation added that it remained confident in CAF’s judicial bodies and praised their “steadfast commitment to work under all circumstances for the respect of legality within the cases submitted for their review.”

The decision brings an end to the disciplinary proceedings against Eto’o, who has led FECAFOOT while continuing to play a prominent role in African football administration.