Samuel Eto’o has apologized after being filmed getting into a physical altercation following Brazil’s clash with South Korea.
The former Chelsea star and current FA Cameroon chairman was in attendance at Stadium 974 but his evening seemed to take a bad turn as he got into an argument with another man after the game.
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Eto’o was seen taking selfies with fans outside Stadium 974
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Then a man with a camera comes to his side and films him
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Then film the cuts and watch Eto’o starting to confront the man
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Eto’o then has to be restrained by four men as he tries to pick him up
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He then hands his phone to someone
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Before charging the man and knee him in the face
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Leaving the man on the ground while Eto’o is dragged off stage
Images published by Opinion shows the former Cameroon international – who is in Qatar as a 2022 World Cup legacy ambassador – was originally in high spirits as he took selfies with fans.
But his mood soon took a brutal turn after the appearance of a man – now named in Spain as Algerian YouTuber Said Mamouni.
The clip cuts between Mamouni arriving alongside Eto’o and the ex-Barcelona star returning to face him.
After multiple advances, Eto’o finally got past people’s efforts to stop him from confronting the YouTuber, who always seemed to be filming even when trying to defend himself.
As Mamouni was bent over, Eto’o picked his moment and appeared to hit him in the face with his knee, knocking him to the ground.
Mamouni was then helped up by various onlookers.
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Eto’o was one of the most feared strikers in the world when he was at Camp Nou
The clip ends Mamouni walking away, yelling at Eto’o as he is pulled the other way.
Mamouni, who has more than 67,000 subscribers on YouTube, has since posted a video showing his injuries and his broken camera.
Spanish press reported that Mamouni claims Eto’o got angry after asking him about referee Bakary Papa Gassama and whether Eto’o gave him a bribe.
Gassama was the man who refereed the second leg of the World Cup play-offs between Algeria and Cameroon in March, which saw the Greens disallowed two goals and their opponents secured a place in Qatar – this which led the Algerian FA to file a complaint with FIFA.
Mamouni has now posted a video on his channel in which he says: “I did all this for Algeria”
“I am at the police station for the investigation,
“We must share this video, as Eto’o is a personality, I am afraid that they hide the file, but I trust the Qatari police.”
“He destroyed my camera and my microphone, he hit me there [showing his chin].”
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Mamouni showed where he was injured
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And showed his destroyed camera
The day after the incident, Eto’o issued a statement demanding an end to the feud between the countries.
Entitled ‘My most sincere apologies’, he said: “On December 5, after the Brazil-Korea match, I had a violent altercation with a person who was probably a supporter of Algeria.
“I would like to apologize for losing my tempter and reacting in a way that does not fit my personality. I apologize to the public for this unfortunate incident.
“I pledge to continue to resist the incessant provocations and daily harassment of certain Algerian supporters. Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match on March 29 in Blida, I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any proof.
Eto’o called for an end to the quarrel between Algerians and Moroccans
“During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans were harassed and harassed 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 brought by the Algerian Football Federation to the competent courts have been rejected. I therefore call on the Algerian authorities and the Federation to assume their responsibilities to put an end to this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragedy occurs.
“To the Fennecs fans, I wish them to find peace and manage to overcome the disappointment of a painful defeat, now behind us.”
Eto’o retired from football in 2019 after a spell at Qatar SC.
The 41-year-old’s priority at the 2022 World Cup would have been watching former Cameroon international team, who were knocked out in the group stage despite beating favorites Brazil.
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