Audio By Carbonatix
Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has apologised for his part in what he described as a "violent altercation" following a match at the World Cup in Qatar.
A video posted online appeared to show the 41-year-old, who is now president of his country's football federation (Fecafoot), lashing out at a man.
The incident occurred outside Stadium 974 in Doha after Monday's last-16 match between Brazil and South Korea, which the South Americans won 4-1.
Eto'o posed for several pictures with supporters before getting into an angry confrontation with another man with a video camera.
Footage showed Eto'o advancing towards the man before he was restrained by bystanders, but he then broke free and appeared to lash out towards the man with his knee.
"I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality," Eto'o said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
"I apologise to the public for this unfortunate incident."
Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, said he was provoked by a fan who was "probably" an Algeria supporter as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment following Cameroon's World Cup play-off win over Algeria in March.
The Indomitable Lions qualified for the finals in Qatar on away goals after scoring in the 124th minute of the second leg in Blida, and Algeria requested a replay after filing a complaint over the performance of the referee.
World governing body Fifa turned down the request and upheld the result.
"I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters," Eto'o added in his statement.
"Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match, 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."
Eto'o is also an ambassador for Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which is overseeing the organisation of the World Cup alongside Fifa.
Fecafoot and the Supreme Committee have been contacted for comment.
Eto'o, who scored 56 goals in 118 games for Cameroon, was elected Fecafoot president in December last year.
He also had playing spells at Real Madrid, Mallorca, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana Post delivers 85,638 passports to homes in seven months – Sam George
4 minutes -
Government begins digitisation of 3.5 million public records – Sam George
6 minutes -
SIM registration biometric verification to begin before end of 2026 – Sam George
7 minutes -
Full Text: Sam George’s speech at Government Accountability Series
9 minutes -
One million coders programme records 141,954 registrations, 27,782 active learners
15 minutes -
Gov’t moves to upgrade rural 2G, 3G networks to 4G – Sam George
17 minutes -
Akaa Assembly Member appeals for telecom mast over poor network coverage
21 minutes -
Cybersecurity Authority responds to 3,363 incidents in six months – Sam George
23 minutes -
Ghanaians now get more data for less money- Sam George
24 minutes -
MTN commits US$1.1bn to Ghana network expansion after 5G reforms – Communications Minister
26 minutes -
Ahafo Clergy call for stronger action against galamsey and Tano river pollution
27 minutes -
GMSA calls for protection of Muslim students’ religious rights in mission schools
29 minutes -
MTN cuts 100 Mbps fibre package from GH¢987 to GH¢299 – Sam George
30 minutes -
Sam George touts lower data costs, enhanced DStv value under Mahama
32 minutes -
Women’s Football: Sharon Sampson, Evelyn Badu and top performers from the weekend
33 minutes