World Cup 2022: Samuel Eto'o apologises after altercation with man in Qatar

Samuel Eto'o (left) has attended World Cup matches alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino (right)

Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has apologised for his portion successful what helium described arsenic a "violent altercation" pursuing a lucifer astatine the World Cup successful Qatar.

The incidental occurred extracurricular Stadium 974 successful Doha aft Monday's last-16 lucifer betwixt Brazil and South Korea, which the South Americans won 4-1.

Eto'o posed for respective pictures with supporters earlier getting into an aggravated confrontation with different antheral with a video camera.

Footage showed Eto'o advancing towards the antheral earlier helium was restrained by bystanders, but helium past broke escaped and appeared to lash retired towards the antheral with his knee.

"I would similar to apologise for losing my temper and reacting successful a mode that does not lucifer my personality," Eto'o said in a connection posted connected his Twitter account.

"I apologise to the nationalist for this unfortunate incident."

Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, said helium was provoked by a instrumentality who was "probably" an Algeria protagonist arsenic portion of an ongoing run of harassment pursuing Cameroon's World Cup play-off triumph implicit Algeria successful March.

The Indomitable Lions qualified for the finals successful Qatar connected distant goals aft scoring successful the 124th infinitesimal of the 2nd limb successful Blida, and Algeria requested a replay aft filing a ailment implicit the show of the referee.

World governing assemblage Fifa turned down the petition and upheld the result.

"I pledge to proceed to defy the relentless provocation and regular harassment of immoderate Algerian supporters," Eto'o added successful his statement.

"Indeed, since the Cameroon-Algeria match, I person been the people of insults and allegations of cheating without immoderate evidence.

"During this World Cup, Cameroonian fans person been harassed and pestered by Algerians connected the aforesaid subject."

Eto'o is besides 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 person been contacted for comment.

Eto'o, who scored 56 goals successful 118 games for Cameroon, was elected Fecafoot president successful December past year.

He besides had playing spells astatine Real Madrid, Mallorca, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton.

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