Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o has apologised after his brawl with a man who he claimed accused him of bribing a referee for a favourable result during a World Cup qualifier against Algeria earlier this year, APA can report on Wednesday.
A video shot in Qatar had gone viral showing his altercation with an apparent Youtuber wielding a camera and confronting him with allegations of cheating during Cameroon’s victory over Algeria for a place in the 2022 World Cup.
He is seen repeatedly being held back by a crowd of people as he rushed at the man and apparently kneeing him.
Eto’o is in Qatar as head of his country’s football delegation to the World Cup and was seen in the stands as Brazil trounced South Korea 4-1 on Monday.
The Indomitable Lions had exited the tournament at the group stage after suffering a 1-nil defeat by Switzerland, forcing a 3-3 draw with Serbia and beating favourites Brazil 1-nil.
In a tweet Eto’o apologized ”for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality… I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident…and pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters”.
He said since the Cameroon-Algeria match on March 29 in Blida, he has been repeatedly targeted for insults and allegations of cheating without evidence.
Gambian referee Papa Bakary Gassama had received threats from Algerians including the national team coach Djamel Belmadi over his handling of the match which Cameroon won on the away goal rule to book a place in the Qatar World Cup.
41-year-old Samuel Eto’o who is the current president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) is a Champions League winner with Barcelona, a two-time AfCON champion, and played 118 times for his country from 1997 to 2014.
He also played for English Premiership sides Chelsea and Everton and retired from football in 2019.
WN/as/APA