Europe 1 with AFP 6:13 p.m., December 06, 2022
The ex-glory of Cameroonian football Samuel Eto'o presented his "sincere apologies" on Tuesday for having kneed in the face of an Algerian youtuber, a scene which has gone viral, filmed the day before at the end of a football match. the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The images show the current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot) hitting a man who is filming him, who has fallen backwards, identified as Sadouni SM, who would have no less than 66,000 subscribers on YouTube.
The scene would have taken place in Qatar, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup is currently taking place there.
"I deeply regret that I lost my temper and reacted in a way that did not match my personality. I apologize to the public for this regrettable incident," wrote Samuel Eto'o.
pic.twitter.com/ErqVrwsxi5
— Samuel Eto'o (@SamuelEtoo) December 6, 2022
Rivalry between Cameroon and Algeria
Cameroon qualified for the World Cup on March 29 after a match rich in twists and turns which aroused resentment and controversy in Algeria over its refereeing.
Led at home 1-0, the Algerians, winners by the same score in the first leg, seemed to be heading towards qualification when they equalized at the end of extra time on the return leg (1-1).
But on the engagement, the Cameroonians scored and turned the situation around.
Claiming to want to "continue to resist the incessant provocations and the daily harassment of certain Algerian supporters", the former star of FC Barcelona asks the authorities and the Algerian federation to "put an end to this deleterious climate before a more serious tragedy not happen".
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After Brazil-South Korea
The scene filmed on Monday takes place at the 974 stadium at the end of the round of 16 Brazil-South Korea (4-1) on Monday evening.
We also see Brazilian supporters in yellow jerseys.
[VIDEO] Samuel Eto'o golpea peligrosamente a una persona al final del partido entre Brasil y Corea https://t.co/smWcShJBYEpic.twitter.com/aXacvIHIdM
— La Opinion (@LaOpinionLA) December 6, 2022
At the start of the 57-second video, Eto'o, in a blue cap, gives selfies to fans before being challenged by the youtuber, whose question we can't see, but who we can clearly hear pronouncing : "Gassama! Gassama!"
The man with the camera evokes the Gambian referee Bakary Gassama, who officiated during the Algeria-Cameroon return barrage (1-2).
"I did all that for Algeria," Sadouni SM only explained on Tuesday in a video in front of the camera.
"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 will cover up the file, but I have confidence in the Qatari police", continued the youtuber in this video.
Eto'o "destroyed my camera and my microphone, he hit me there (showing his chin)," he said.
Samuel Eto'o is also an ambassador for the Qatari World Cup organizing committee.