Former Cameroon and Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o, has apologised for attacking a supporter outside the stadium in Qatar.
Eto’o was seen in a video circulating on social media kneeing a man in the head outside Stadium 974 in Doha after Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday night.
However, the 41-year-old former Chelsea striker, in a statement posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, said he was provoked by a fan who was “probably” an Algeria supporter as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment following Cameroon’s qualifying win over Algeria in March.
Eto’o, who is the Cameroon FA President, said: “On last 5 December,aAfter the Brazil-South Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably an Algerian supporter.
“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.
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“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters.
“Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match on 28 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,” he stated.
Eto’o, who retired from football in 2019, scored 56 goals in 118 caps for Cameroon and represented his country at four World Cups between 1998 and 2014.
The former Inter Milan striker is in Qatar as a World Cup 2022 legacy ambassador.
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