Fabricated Statement Attributed to Eto’o Saying VIP Seating Section at CAN Reserved for Africans Only
The Claim
Samuel Eto’o: The main VIP seating section during the CAN is dedicated to Africans exclusively.
News posted on
Emerging story
Facebook accounts have recently shared an alleged statement attributed to former player and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o. In the alleged statement, Eto’o says that Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo will be dedicated exclusively to African leagues’ officials and stars because the Africa Cup of Nations is for Africans. Eto’o is quoted as adding that the rest of the invitees will have the second row dedicated to them, including all non-African leagues’ officials and personalities, not excluding FIFA officials. The alleged statement concludes with a welcome to Cameroon message from Eto’o.
Another statement was attributed to Eto’o, in which he allegedly says, “we are not racist or anything like that. However, everything should be organized well, and everyone should sit in their respective place. It doesn’t make sense for Infantino (FIFA president) to sit in a higher place than Roger (Cameroonian footballer). After all, we respect our stars, the alleged statement concludes.
Some media outlets also said that these statements were taken from an interview between The Atlantic and Eto’o.
Description: The screenshots show the purported claim being shared on Facebook and media outlets.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team investigated the circulated claim and found that it was fake. Samuel Eto’o did not say that Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo’s main VIP section will be dedicated exclusively to Africans. Nor did he post such news on any of his official social media accounts. The news was not reported by any reliable or credible media outlet.
The alleged statement was published following an interview for Eto’o with The Atlantic on Jan. 04, 2022. In the interview, Eto’o said, “Africa has more talent than Europe,” adding that “Africans have to know how to come together for the continent’s development.”
Eto’o also said, “Others will never do it for us. It is really important that we know this. You can see what happens in the world. When the world comes to do business in Africa, they are happy. When Africa comes to Europe (for help), we have problems.”
Eto’o said he takes “Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as examples,” adding that the three of “the Premier League’s main goalscorers come from Africa.”
The Africa Cup of Nations started on Jan. 09, 2022, following nearly six months of delay because of COVID-19.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
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