Cameroonian FA chief Samuel Eto’o has been slapped with a four-match ban and a $20,000 fine for misconduct during Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations AFCON defeat to Morocco.

This was confirmed in a statement by FECAFOOT stating that it had received a ruling from the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee. However, FECAFOOT contends that the penalty “lacks any explicit justification.”

One major concern raised by FECAFOOT is thespeed with which CAF arrived at such a decision without giving the president a fair chance to respond, present evidence, or appeal before the sanction was imposed. According to reports, normally, CAF’s disciplinary procedures allow for investigation, hearings, and appeals, which can take several days to weeks, but Eto’o was given no such chance.

The federation said, “The expedited procedure that resulted in this sanction raises serious concerns about respecting the basic standards of due process”.

CAF’s response to Eto’os alleged misconduct

On Monday, 12 January, CAF announced that it had launched investigations into incidents arising from the quarter-final matches involving Cameroon against Morocco and Algeria against Nigeria.

Although it made no specification as to which of Eto’o’s actions attracted the sanctions, many believe they stemmed from his angry gesturing in the direction of Moroccan FA chief Fouzi Lekjaa, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe seated nearby.

Despite the ruling, FECAFOOT stated it remains firmly behind its leader.

The federation said, “FECAFOOT reiterates its unwavering support for its president and its commitment to fair and credible disciplinary justice”.

Despite the distractions, Cameroon showed resilience in moments. The Indomitable Lions progressed from the group stage and eliminated South Africa in the Round of 16. However, the quarter-final defeat to Morocco exposed limitations.

The team struggled to create chances, lacked cohesion, and appeared tactically uncertain, signs that preparation had not been optimal.

This is not the first time he has been penalised for misconduct as his country's football federation president.

In February last year, he appealed against the sanctions placed on him by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), allowing him to run for a position on the CAF Executive Committee, AfricaSoccer.com reports.

Eto’o, who is the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), was fined $200,000 and penalized for allegedly violating CAF’s ethical rules. Many believe this led to his disqualification from CAF’s elections in March.

However, after an eight-month legal battle, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that the Disciplinary Board did not have the authority to handle the case, as such matters should be addressed by an independent Ethics Committee.

“The decision of 27 June 2024, which imposed a fine of USD 200,000 on Mr. Eto’o, was annulled,” read a statement from Eto’o’s legal team.