World Cup 2022 diary: Morocco's shock win, Spain's 'sour grapes', Pogba's marabout…

World Cup 2022: YouTuber struck by Samuel Eto'o speaks out on the incident

The video has been circulating since this morning. In it, Samuel Eto'o can be seen responding to provocation from an Algerian fan before kicking him. The man has since given his version of events in a video posted on his YouTube account, saying in particular that he has filed a complaint.

"I got into an argument with Samuel Eto'o. He hit me and the person with him defended me. Eto'o destroyed my camera, which I was filming him with. I was filming him and I asked him about Gassama (the referee for Algeria-Cameroon), I asked him whether he had given him a bribe. That angered him and he hit me. He destroyed my camera and my microphone. I am at the police station. Share this video, I know Qatar is a country governed by the rule of law. Show solidarity. I did this for Algeria."

World Cup 2022: Samuel Eto'o's mea culpa after losing his temper

Samuel Eto'o has reacted to the video circulating online in which the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation is seen hitting an Algerian supporter. The former captain of the Indomitable Lions wanted to apologise, but also to ask the Algerian Football Federation to rein in its supporters. He says he has been the victim of harassment since Algeria were knocked out by Cameroon.

"On 5 December, as I was leaving the Brazil-South Korea match, a violent altercation took place between me and a person who appeared to be an Algeria supporter. I deeply regret losing my temper and reacting in a way that is out of keeping with my character. I apologise to the public for this regrettable incident," he said at the outset.

He continued: "Since the Cameroon-Algeria match on 29 March in Blida, I have been the target of insults and entirely unfounded allegations of cheating. Consequently, I am asking the Algerian authorities and our sister federation in Algeria to take their responsibilities and put an end to this toxic climate before something more serious happens."

André Onana questioned by head of Paul Biya's civil cabinet

For disciplinary reasons, Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana was removed from the Indomitable Lions squad in the middle of the World Cup. Following this major scandal, the Inter Milan goalkeeper is reported to have been questioned by Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, head of the civil cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, last weekend.

"Last weekend, on Paul Biya's instructions, he (Onana) met the head of the civil cabinet, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, who asked him questions about what happened in Qatar (…) An investigation has also been opened by the general delegation for national security into the Lions' debacle in Qatar," journalist Boris Bertolt said on his Facebook page.

Walid Regragui: "We're making history"

Morocco have pulled off a shock by knocking Spain out in the round of 16. The Moroccans will play in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Head coach Walid Regragui was delighted with a superb performance, speaking on beIN Sports.

"I think we played a huge game. Tactically the lads followed the plan. They didn't give up. I said they would tire us out. We held on until penalties. We knew we had one of the best goalkeepers in the world. We didn't play for penalties, because we had our chances. Well done to them, we're making history," he said.

Having become the first African head coach to reach a World Cup quarter-final, Walid Regragui motivated his players to achieve such a feat. "I said we had to be ambitious in Africa. That's what the lads believed, I put that in their heads. Why not win the World Cup, even if it will be hard because we've given up a lot of energy. But we have heart. And when you have heart and energy, you win matches," he concluded.

Morocco: Atlas Lions hero Yassine Bounou over the moon

Through to the quarter-finals after an epic match against Spain, Morocco can thank their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for a fine performance. The Sevilla goalkeeper was very solid throughout the game before saving two penalties in the shootout. Speaking on beIN Sports, the Morocco international was keen above all to congratulate his team-mates.

"You know what penalties are like, it's a bit of luck, a bit of intuition. We won, that's the most important thing. Hats off to the whole team, they did the job. It isn't easy to stay focused for 120 minutes against a Spanish side who dominate well and have the possession. Honestly, when I watched the players running, it was incredible. When you live through moments like that, it's hard to take it in," he said.

Yassine Bounou is now looking ahead to the quarter-finals and points to good preparation by the team. "We'll try to shut out everything around us, stay focused on ourselves and on recovery. We'll approach the next match with that desire and that enjoyment you can see in everyone's eyes," he concluded.

Rodri "spits" on Morocco's victory

Rodri cannot stomach Spain's defeat by Morocco. La Roja were knocked out in the round of 16 by the Atlas Lions. The world champions had the possession in the match but were never decisive. And according to the Manchester City midfielder, who played at centre-back for La Roja throughout the tournament, the African side's victory was not deserved.

"It's hard, it's hard to console yourself when you give everything, when you work this hard, and you know… no disrespect, Morocco offered absolutely nothing! In terms of play, they did nothing," the 26-year-old Spaniard said after the game. "They just waited for the counters. They stayed well organised at the back. And they tried to hit us on the break," the player grumbled in front of the media.

He added: "We tried to do something but it came to nothing. It's very frustrating. I think we deserved to score at least one goal because I believe we should have gone through to the quarter-finals. That's my opinion."

Pogba's marabout tracked down and gives his version on Kylian Mbappé

With France about to face England in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals and Kylian Mbappé in blistering form (4 goals, 2 assists), the newspaper Le Parisien has tracked down Paul Pogba's marabout, who was supposed to put a spell on the PSG star. A certain Birame D. He naturally denies Mathias Pogba's accusations.

"All this talk of witchcraft is pure invention. Paul never asked me to cast a spell on Kylian Mbappé, either for that PSG-Manchester United game or on any other occasion. The one and only time we talked about Kylian was in a phone conversation during the 2018 World Cup. After the match against Argentina (4-3 in the round of 16), I said to Paul: 'It's crazy how quick the kid is.' Paul replied with these words: 'Kylian, it's a gift from God to have him with us, he takes so much pressure off us, he does us so much good.'"

Amid a feud with his brother Mathias Pogba, Paul had been accused of wanting to put a spell on Kylian Mbappé.

𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒 😳

Morocco reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time. 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/Z6uVjyLmWz

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2022