Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has apologised for his part in what he described as a "violent altercation" following a match at the World Cup in Qatar.
A video posted online appeared to show the 41-year-old, who is now president of his country's football federation (Fecafoot), lashing out at a man.
The incident occurred outside Stadium 974 in Doha after Monday's last-16 match between Brazil and South Korea, which the South Americans won 4-1.
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."
Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, said he was provoked by a fan who was "probably" an Algeria supporter as part of an ongoing campaign of harassment following Cameroon's World Cup play-off win over Algeria in March.
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.
"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."
Eto'o is also 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 have been contacted for comment.
Eto'o, who scored 56 goals in 118 games for Cameroon, was elected Fecafoot president in December last year.
He also had playing spells at Real Madrid, Mallorca, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton.
Latest Stories
-
Global perception of Ghana improving under Mahama’s leadership – NDC USA Chair
4 minutes -
Bagbin repremands Dr. Afriyie but spares him from Privileges Committee
8 minutes -
Ablekuma North: Valerie Sawyerr urges EC to rerun outstanding constituency polls
50 minutes -
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine tackles plastic pollution with inclusive community initiatives
56 minutes -
GAUA-KNUST inaugural week celebrates innovation in university administration
59 minutes -
ThisAbledSeries: 10-year-old girl becomes her deaf parents’ lifeline amid poverty and prejudice
1 hour -
VRA kicks off its annual EPP/EMP sensitisation workshop in Eastern Region
1 hour -
Don’t suffer in silence: Unpacking the choice fistula didn’t give aspiring mothers
1 hour -
Western Regional Minister orders formation of T&A Park Management committee amid controversy
1 hour -
Why only satellites, drones and AI can stop galamsey now
1 hour -
The legal drama of a ‘wanted’ man – IMANI
2 hours -
When scrutiny turns into siege: An open letter to the Vice President
2 hours -
The time is now- Prez Mahama urges action to drive Ghana’s productive economy
2 hours -
Elon Musk says he regrets some posts about Donald Trump
2 hours -
Prudential Life Insurance leads mangrove restoration efforts at Ada
2 hours