Samuel Eto’o has expressed regret for his involvement in what he called a “violent altercation” that occurred after a World Cup game in Qatar.
The former Inter Milan and Barcelona forward, who is currently the head of Cameroon’s football association (Fecafoot), was reportedly seen in a video screaming at a man. The video has since gone viral on social media.
The incident occurred outside Stadium 974 in Doha following Brazil’s 4-1 victory over South Korea in the last-16 match on Monday.
Eto’o posed for many photos with fans before getting into an argument with another man holding a camera.
Video footage shows Eto’o approaching the man before being restrained by others, but he then managed to break free and proceeded to hit 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.”
“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.”
— Ferdinand A Baah
