Samuel Eto'o issued a public apology on Tuesday Dec. 6 - after attacking an Algerian YouTuber in the aftermath of the Brazil-South Korea round of 16 game at the 2022 World Cup. The president of the Cameroon Football Federation took the opportunity to denounce the provocations and harassment of certain supporters of Algeria after the non-qualification of the Desert Foxes to the World Cup.
Samuel Eto'o reacted on Tuesday to kicking an Algerian YouTuber after Brazil's match against South Korea on Monday evening.
[VIDEO] Samuel Eto’o golpea peligrosamente a una persona al final del partido entre Brasil y Corea https://t.co/smWcShJBYE pic.twitter.com/aXacvIHIdM
— La Opinión (@LaOpinionLA) December 6, 2022
Present in Doha since the start of the competition, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation made headlines with his gesture. A day after the adrenaline rush, FECAFOOT's leader apologised in a message posted on his social networks.
" There was a violent altercation between me and a person apparently an Algerian fan. I deeply regret having lost my temper and having reacted in a way that does not correspond to my personality," wrote the former Barca and Inter Milan striker, before he added: " I apologise to the public for this regrettable incident."
At the origin of this situation between Samuel Eto'o and the so-called Sadouni SM, it traces back to the World Cup pitting Cameroon against Algeria on March 29 in Blida.
Despite Algeria's victory in the first leg, Riyad Mahrez's teammates lost after 2-1 in added on time courtesy a goal from Karl Toko-Ekambi.
Ekambi's late winner gave rise to great frustration in Algeria and accusations from local fans against the referee Papa Gassama and the Indomitable Lions. The resentment is such that, according to Samuel Eto'o, Algerian fans have since launched a campaign of harassment against him and Cameroon.
"I have had to resist the persistent provocations and daily harassment of certain Algerian supporters.
" I have been a target of insults and allegations of cheating without any foundation. During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans have been harassed and annoyed by Algerians on the same subject."
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) had filed an appeal to FIFA, but the body chaired by Gianni Infantino ruled as per the results obtained in the field.
A legal victory according to Samuel Eto'o on Tuesday when complaining about some Algerian fans.
“All appeals brought by the Algerian Football Federation to the competent courts have been rejected," underlined the EX Barca striker.
"Consequently, I ask the Algerian authorities and the sister federation of Algeria to take responsibility and put an end to this bad climate before a more serious tragedy occurs"
To conclude, Samuel Eto'o demands appeasement between the two nations: "To the supporters of Algeria, I wish that they find peace and manage to overcome the disappointment of a painful elimination which is now behind us."
The tension is palpable between these two countries and one could only ponder what becomes of the 2023 African Nations Championship, to be hosted in Algeria of which Cameroon will be part of.
