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Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has apologized for his part in what he described as a “violent altercation” following a World Cup match in Qatar.
A video posted online appeared to show the 41-year-old, who is now president of his country’s soccer federation (Fecafoot), lashing out at a man.
The incident occurred outside the 974 Stadium in Doha after Monday’s round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea, which the South Americans won 4-1.
Eto’o posed for several photos with his supporters before engaging in a furious confrontation with another man with a video camera.
Footage showed Eto’o advancing towards the man before he was stopped by bystanders, but he then broke free and appeared to lunge at the man with his knee.
“I would like to apologize for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality,” Eto’o said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
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“I apologize to the public for this unfortunate incident.”
Eto’o, a four-time African footballer of the year, said he was provoked by a fan who was “probably” Algerian as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment following Cameroon’s World Cup play-off victory over Algeria in March.
The Indomitable Lions qualified for the Qatar final on away goals after scoring in the 124th minute of the second leg in Blida, and Algeria asked for a replay after filing a complaint about the referee’s behavior.
World governing body FIFA rejected the request and confirmed the result.
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“I pledge to continue resisting the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters,” Eto’o added in his statement.
“In fact, since the Cameroon-Algeria match, I have been the target of insults and accusations of cheating without any proof.
“During this World Cup, the Cameroonian fans have been harassed and harassed by the Algerians on the same subject.”
Eto’o is also an ambassador for Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which oversees the organization of the World Cup together with FIFA.
Fecafoot and the Supreme Committee have been contacted for comment.
Eto’o, who scored 56 goals in 118 appearances for Cameroon, was elected president of Fecafoot in December last year.
He also played for Real Madrid, Mallorca, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton.
Credit: BBC
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