Samuel Eto'o, the former Cameroon striker and current president of the country's football federation, has apologised after being involved in a “violent altercation” after Brazil's World Cup victory over South Korea on Monday.
La Opinion, a Spanish-language newspaper based in Los Angeles, posted a video on its Twitter feed in the early hours of Tuesday morning that appeared to show Eto'o clashing with a man holding a video camera as he left Doha's Stadium 974.
The accompanying report said the 41-year-old four-time African Player of the Year had reacted angrily to the unidentified man's presence and struck him as he fell to the ground in the melee.
Eto’o has now released a public apology, claiming on social media that he has been subject to daily harrassment from Algeria fans following their controversial World Cup play-off defeat by Cameroon back in March.
"After the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter,” Eto’o wrote.
“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.
[VIDEO] Samuel Eto’o golpea peligrosamente a una persona al final del partido entre Brasil y Corea https://t.co/smWcShJBYE pic.twitter.com/aXacvIHIdM
— La Opinión (@LaOpinionLA) December 6, 2022
“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters. Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algerla 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. 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 sport.
"All the appeals made by the Algerian Football Federation to the competent Jurisdictions 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 tragedy occurs.
"To Fennecs' fans, I wish that they find peace and manage to overcome the disappointment of a painful defeat, now behind us."
Eto'o, who enjoyed a lengthy career at the top of the game with long spells at Barcelona and Inter Milan, was appointed a "global ambassador" for the Supreme Committee in 2019.
