CAF appeal panel overturns Samuel Eto’o’s ban and $20,000 fine

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cancelled the sanctions imposed on Samuel Eto’o following the match between Cameroon and Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision means Eto’o is no longer subject to a four-match suspension or a fine of 20,000 US dollars. Both penalties have been lifted with immediate effect after CAF’s Jury of Appeal overturned the ruling made at first instance.

The outcome was announced by the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), which said the appeal panel had rejected the original disciplinary decision. The ruling fully clears the FECAFOOT president in the case.

The disciplinary proceedings had been opened after incidents during the match between Cameroon and Morocco. Eto’o had been punished as part of the measures that followed that encounter, but the sanctions have now been removed at the conclusion of the appeal process.

CAF’s Jury of Appeal therefore ruled in favour of Eto’o on both elements of the original punishment: the four-game ban and the financial penalty. Neither sanction remains in force, and the decision takes effect immediately.

The ruling brings the disciplinary case to an end. It also confirms that the first-instance decision against the former captain of the Indomitable Lions will not stand.

Eto’o, who serves as president of FECAFOOT, had faced the prospect of being barred from four matches under the initial ruling. He was also required to pay a fine of $20,000. The appeal has now cancelled both measures without replacement.

FECAFOOT’s announcement did not provide further details about the reasoning behind the Jury of Appeal’s decision. However, it confirmed that CAF’s appeal body had overturned the earlier judgment and completely cleared Eto’o in relation to the case.

The matter arose from the Cameroon-Morocco fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and the appeal ruling closes the file opened over the incidents surrounding that match.