The Confederation of African Football (CAF) today announced sanctions against Samuel Eto’o Fils, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), for misconduct during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match between Morocco and Cameroon on January 9, 2026.
The CAF Disciplinary Board reviewed reports and evidence from the match, which Morocco won 2-0 in Rabat. Officials observed Eto’o engaging in inappropriate behavior in the VIP section, including angry gestures directed at referee decisions. This conduct occurred in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe and other dignitaries.
After a thorough investigation, the Board found Eto’o guilty of violating the principles of fair play and sportsmanship as outlined in Article 2(3) of the CAF Statutes and Article 82 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
As a result, CAF imposed a four-match stadium ban on Eto’o, preventing him from attending the next four official CAF matches involving FECAFOOT teams across all competitions and age categories. Additionally, the Board fines Eto’o $20,000.
“CAF remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and respect in African football,” said CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba. “This decision reinforces our dedication to fair play and ensures that all participants, including officials, adhere to the rules that protect the spirit of the game.”
The sanctions take effect immediately and apply to the ongoing AFCON tournament and future CAF events. Cameroon exited the competition following their quarter-final defeat, but the ban extends to any subsequent matches under CAF jurisdiction.
FECAFOOT has acknowledged the ruling but expressed concerns over the lack of detailed justification in the decision. CAF encourages all federations to promote positive conduct and continues to support the development of football across the continent.