Samuel Eto’o calls on Algerian authorities to act after attacking fan

World Cup 2022 briefing: Day 17

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Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o has called on the Algerian authorities to act after he released a statement, following an incident that was caught on camera of the fomer Barcelona forward kneeing a fan in the head at the World Cup. The president of the Cameroon Football Federation apologised for his actions but said that more has to be done by the Algerian Foodball Federation.

Eto’o released a statement on Tuesday amid accusations of cheating between Cameroon and Algeria. “On last 5 December, after the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter,” Eto’o wrote in a statement he posted on Twitter.

“I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident. 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. During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans have been harassed and pestered by Algerians on the same subject.

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“I would like to mention that the scenario of Algeria’s defeat was cruel but perfectly in line with the rules and ethics of our support. All the appeals made by the Algerian Football Federation to the competent football jurisdictions have have been rejected.

“I therefore call on the Algerian authorities and Federation to take their responsibilities to put an end to this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragrdy occurs. To Fennecs’ fans, I wish that they find peace and manage to overcome the disappointment of a painful defeat, now behind us.”

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In a video, Eto’o began cheerful at the World Cup as he posed for pictures with fans. Then he reacted angrily to a supporter who began to ask him questions in front of a camera before he appeared to knee the man in the head.

The fan also released a statement to explain the incident. “I got confused with Samuel Eto’o. He hit me and the person who was with him defended me,” he said in a video posted on YouTube.

“Eto’o destroyed my camera with which I was filming him. I was filming him and I asked him about Gassama [the Algeria-Cameroon referee], I asked him if he had given him a bribe. It pissed him off and he hit me. He destroyed my camera and my microphone. I’m at the police station. Share this video, I know that Qatar is a country of rights. Be in solidarity. I did this for Algeria.”

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