scorecard
  1. Home
  2. sports
  3. news
  4. World soccer star Samuel Eto'o issued a groveling apology after 'violent altercation' with a man at World Cup

World soccer star Samuel Eto'o issued a groveling apology after 'violent altercation' with a man at World Cup

Alan Dawson   

World soccer star Samuel Eto'o issued a groveling apology after 'violent altercation' with a man at World Cup
  • Samuel Eto'o was seen on video Tuesday attacking a man with a camera.
  • The incident took place after a FIFA World Cup match in Doha.

World soccer star Samuel Eto'o issued a groveling apology after having what he called a "violent altercation" with a man holding a camera outside a FIFA World Cup match Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.

"I would like to apologize for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality," the Cameroon soccer president and former player said on Twitter.

"I apologize to the public for this unfortunate incident."

Eto'o was seen on video walking away from Stadium 974 while posing for photographs with fans after Brazil's 4-1 win over South Korea in the tournament's Round of 16 stage.

He then appeared to react to comments made by a man holding a camera, according to ESPN. The Telegraph reports that this man was an Algerian YouTube vlogger Said Mamouni.

In La Opinion's video footage, Eto'o's entourage appears to hold the former FC Barcelona icon back; however, he breaks free and runs a flying knee into the man, who immediately drops to the floor.

The man regains his composure, and returns to his feet, not long after.

Watch the incident right here:

In his apology, Eto'o slams Algerian soccer fans

After saying sorry in his Twitter statement, Eto'o said: "I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some 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 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."

The vlogger said he is filing a complaint with the police in Qatar

The YouTube personality, named Said Mamouni, said in a posted video that he is filing a complaint at a Qatari police station, according to ESPN.

"Samuel had a fight with me," Maouni said. "He hit me, and the one accompanying him pushed me. I'm here to lodge a complaint, and he also smashed my camera."

Mamouni added that Eto'o attacked him when he asked the 41-year-old — who remains the all-time top goalscorer at the African Cup of Nations — whether he'd bribed the referee in Cameroon's match with Algeria earlier in the year.

Cameroon won the second leg of its World Cup qualifier against Algeria 2-1 in March.

Cameroon failed to proceed past the group stage in Qatar, having collected only four points from a possible nine in matches against Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia.

The World Cup concludes December 18.



Popular Right Now



Advertisement