Cameroon: stabbed after a bet on Samuel Eto'o
In Douala, a student was stabbed by a Port Autonome employee after winning a bet on whether FIFA had lifted Eto'o's suspension
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In Cameroon, an ordinary football debate turned into tragedy in Douala on the evening of 4 October. The incident, which took place in a bar in the Makèpè district, was reported in the state-owned newspaper Cameroon Tribune. It involves two young men: Zachée S., a 24-year-old student who was seriously wounded by knife blows after winning a bet against Donald H., 29, an employee of the Port Autonome de Douala. The two men were debating FIFA's suspension of Fécafoot president Samuel Eto'o.
Read more: FIFA: Samuel Eto'o handed 6-month suspension
According to Donald, football's world governing body had reversed its decision and lifted Samuel Eto'o's suspension. Zachée argued the opposite. Donald then suggested they each stake 50,000 CFA francs to settle the dispute. After consulting a football "expert", Zachée was declared the winner [Eto'o's suspension had never been lifted, editor's note], which enraged his opponent, who had just lost, reportedly, the money set aside to pay his rent.
The attacker is still on the run
Zachée, the winner of the bet, in a moment of euphoria, set about buying a round of drinks for everyone who had witnessed his win. Afterwards, the young student set off for home. But on the way back, according to the source, he was caught off guard by Donald, knife in hand. Donald demanded that Zachée hand over the winnings. The student resisted and was stabbed twice, once in the shoulder and once in the back, before his attacker fled with his bag full of banknotes. Fortunately for the victim, the last customers of the bar where it all began heard his cries for help and came to his aid. Zachée, whose life is reportedly not in danger, was taken to a clinic, while his attacker is said to be being sought.
As a reminder, the affair stems from the recent suspension of Fécafoot president Samuel Eto'o by FIFA over inappropriate behaviour during a Women's U-20 World Cup match. FIFA found that he had breached its Disciplinary Code, notably in terms of the conduct of officials. Eto'o is banned from attending his country's national team matches for a period of six months.