After a heated incident at the 2023 AFCON, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender received a lengthy ban from football Geremi Njitap, once a commanding presence in midfield and defence for Chelsea and Real Madrid, has been hit with a five-year ban from all football-related activity following a heated fallout with Samuel Eto’o. The sanction, announced by the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), includes a £13,000 fine and is tied to a dispute during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. AFCON clash with Eto’o’s staff sparks dramatic fallout The controversy began in the dressing room during the 2023 AFCON, where Geremi, now president of Cameroon’s players' union Synafoc, clashed with a member of Eto’o’s entourage. Reports suggest the disagreement escalated quickly, amidst growing tension between two of Cameroon’s most iconic football figures. Eto’o, who now serves as Fecafoot president, has been at odds with Geremi over several footballing matters. The ethics committee reviewed the incident and ruled that Geremi had violated the federation’s code of ethics, resulting in a suspension that will keep him out of the sport until 2030. His assistant, Daniel Blaise Ngos, was also handed a two-year ban and fined £6,500 for his involvement in the fracas. Decorated legacy now overshadowed by controversy Geremi’s illustrious playing career included two Premier League titles with Chelsea, a La Liga crown with Real Madrid, and 118 international caps for Cameroon. He was a key figure in Cameroon’s triumphs at the 2000 Olympics and two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. However, this latest development places a dent in his legacy and sidelines him from active football administration at a time when many expected him to rise within the sport’s leadership ranks. Geremi has reportedly been given ten days to appeal the decision, but the rift between him and Eto’o now appears deeper than ever.