Cameroon football federation president and former star player Samuel Eto’o was filmed allegedly kicking a man to the ground in an altercation outside a World Cup stadium on Tuesday.
Eto’o had paused to pose for photos with fans near Stadium 974 after Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16. Footage circulating on social media showed him then reacting to comments by a man holding a camera.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward was initially held back by people in his entourage then got clear and appeared to aim a kick at the man, who fell backwards to the ground.
ESPN has approached the Cameroon FA and Eto’o’s representatives for comment. Qatari organisers said Eto’o had not been their guest at the game.
Eto’o has been in Qatar as president of the football federation of Cameroon, who were eliminated in the group stage last week.
He also represents Qatar’s World Cup organising committee as a Global Legacy Ambassador since 2019 and is part of the FIFA Legends program that uses former players to promote football.
It was unclear in what capacity Eto’o attended the game on Monday night. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which oversees the World Cup, and its government did not immediately respond to questions about the incident.
Eto’o played at four World Cups for Cameroon between 1998 and 2014, and was elected to lead their football federation one year ago.
Samuel Eto'o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation and Qatar 22 ambassador lost his cool and assaulted a man outside the 947 stadium last night.
— SIKAOFFICIAL???? (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) December 6, 2022
The victim, who is an Algerian YouTuber questioned Eto'o about Gassama, referee of the world cup qualifying match between pic.twitter.com/vFNWOXVjpT