World Cup 2022: Eto’o Addresses Exchange With a Fan, Blames Algeria

World Cup 2022: Eto’o Addresses Exchange With a Fan, Blames Algeria

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM
In this article:
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
Samuel Eto'o logo
S. Eto'o
-FCameroon logo
  • Samuel Eto'o has responded to the viral video of him reportedly kicking a fan in Qatar
  • Eto'o was filmed having a heated confrontation with a fan after Brazil vs South Korea
  • The president of the Cameroon Football Federation led his team to the 2022 World Cup

Legendary Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has opened up on the viral video of him engaged in an alleged violent altercation with a fan in Qatar.

The incident happened after the match between Brazil and South Korea, where the Cameroon Football Association (FECAFOOT) President was in attendance.

Samuel Eto'o, 2022 World Cup, Algeria, Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o, the four-time African player of the year, has explained what happened between him and a reporter in Qatar. Photo by Chris Brunskill.
Source: Getty Images

In the video, a man since identified as Algerian YouTuber Said Mamouni approaches the former Barcelona man as he was taking selfies with fans.

The video then cuts to Eto’o angrily confronting the man, who keeps backing away. Some fans try to break up the altercation but the former Chelsea man is clearly furious, according to Talksport.

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As he broke away from those trying to hold him back, Eto'o appeared to lash out at the YouTuber who then fell over. Several more people then intervened to break up the apparent fight.

Eto'o responds to the incident

The two-time treble winner took to Twitter to address the situation.

He claimed the man in the video was an Algerian fan, who provoked him about the controversial World Cup play-off tie between Cameroon and Algeria.

Eto' did apologised for his actions however.

“I would like to apologise for losing my tempter and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident."

He added that he has been targeted by Algerian supporters after the tie, which saw the Desert Warriors miss out on the World Cup in Qatar.

“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters. Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match on 29 March in Blida, I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence."

The North Africans were moments away from qualifying for the Mundial in a heated and contentious encounter, but a last-gasp goal from Karl Toko Ekambi broke the hearts of Algerians, according to Eurosport.

Eto'o confronts fan

Sports Brief earlier reported on Eto'o allegedly attacking a fan after the Brazil versus South Korea World Cup game.

The FECAFOOT chief was filmed in an altercation with an unidentified man, despite smiling broadly for selfies with fans a few seconds earlier.

The retired striker was visibly upset by what the man said to him. New details have now emerged suggesting the man had accused Eto'o of match-fixing after Cameroon's play-off against Algeria.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.