CAN 2021: Algerian journalists attacked, Eto'o asks for forgiveness

After the assault on three Algerian journalists on Sunday in Cameroon, Samuel Eto'o asked Algeria for forgiveness.

Last Sunday, when the African Cup of Nations (CAN) began in Cameroon, three Algerian journalists were attacked with knives, a stone's throw from their hotel. The president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Amara Charaf-Eddine, "strongly condemned the cowardly aggression" in a press release. The African Football Confederation (CAF) has asked the Cameroonian authorities "to open an investigation".

But the reaction of the Cameroonian Minister of Sports surprised: he believes that the Algerian journalists have "violated" the security rules imposed, by favoring a hotel near the central prison of New-Bell, yet not selected by the organizers. of CAN. CAF asks "all stakeholders to refrain from any act of provocation and violence so as not to spoil the beautiful football festival that is CAN".

Samuel Eto'o, newly elected president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), also spoke about this case.

🎙⚽️ | @SamuelEtoo : "Tell our brothers that everything will be done so that their stay goes as smoothly as possible at home in Cameroon"

The firm and fraternal reaction of the President of the @FecafootOfficie following the events in Douala. Message received 🇨🇲❤️🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/clCZX9JYLR

- #TacticianApproximate (@MohamedBrahdji) -

Eto'o: "Our Brothers are at home"

Asked by Algerian television, the ex-footballer said: “Our dear brother journalists, I would like to offer you our sincere apologies because some of our brothers were attacked in Douala. I humbly ask you to tell these brothers that we ask for forgiveness ”.

A speech that contrasts with that of the Minister of Sports. “It's not Cameroonian hospitality. Please ask their forgiveness and tell them that they are at home. We are going to seize our minister and all our authorities to tell them that our brothers are in our country and they must feel safe as if they were in Algiers ”.

On the sporting side, this Tuesday, the Fennecs, reigning champions begin their competition against Sierra Leone. Algeria could, if it does not register a defeat in the group stage, become the nation with the longest unbeaten streak in history. For its part, the Cameroonian selection won the inaugural match of CAN 2021, against Burkina Faso, thanks to two penalties scored by Vincent Aboubakar.