Cameroon Football Federation boss Samuel Eto’o and an Algerian national team fan were involved in a heated argument over how the Indomitable Lions dismissed the Desert Foxes in the World Cup qualifier.
Eto’o posed for several pictures with supporters before getting into an angry confrontation with another man with a video camera.
Footage showed Eto’o advancing towards the man before he was restrained by bystanders, but he then broke free and appeared to lash out towards 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.”
The Indomitable Lions qualified for the finals in Qatar on away goals after scoring in the 124th minute of the second leg in Blida, and Algeria requested a replay after filing a complaint over the performance of the referee. World governing body Fifa turned down the request and upheld the result.
Despite the apology by Eto’o the Algerian man Said Momouni said: “I’m at the police station to file a complaint against Eto’o. He hit me and someone with him pushed me.
“I asked him how is Bakary Gassama (referee that took charge of African World Cup play off) and if he gave him a bribe. He then hit me and destroyed both my camera and mic.
“I will take my rights here in Qatar as it is a state of law. He did hit me in the chest, in the face and on my elbow,” Momouni added.
