Samuel Eto'o could face a lifetime ban from football for refusing to
play for Cameroon, says the country's football federation spokesman
Junior Binyam.
The striker was selected in the squad to face Cape
Verde for September's final-round qualifier for the 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations
but withdrew
to bring attention to what he describes as "amateurism and bad management" in the national team set-up.
Eto'o served an
eight-month ban
for his role in the players' strike in Marrakech and has again made a stand over issues he feels remain unresolved.
But Binyam told BBC Sport: "A player called to the national team is obliged to come - the decision is not up to the player.
"In accordance with the national team disciplinary
code, a player can be suspended and the suspension can be extended to
his club - he can be banned for life for not attending a convocation of
the national team.
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“When a player is still active in his career he cannot decide to retire from international duty”Fecafoot spokesman Junior Binyam
"The Federation President and
the Minister of Sports and Physical Education have the prerogative to
initiate sanctions against the player and it is for them to take
responsibility."
Cameroon have
called up Leonard Kweuke
to replace Eto'o for the match on 8 September and Binyam said the
federation was focused on preparing the team but added that
"disciplinary measures can follow" after that.
Binyam also echoed the thoughts of coach Denis Lavagne,
who has stated his feelings that the players should be privileged to
play for their national team and wants to select players who are
enthusiastic to play.
"Defending the colours of your country must be the
individual's will," said Binyam. "When someone is not in good metal
shape to play for his country, to stand behind the flag, it is better he
is not selected. That is the belief of the coach.
"But when a player has been called he is obliged to
come. When a player is still active in his career he cannot decide to
retire from international duty. According to regulations, the player has
to oblige."
All players of Cameroonian nationality in the registry
of any club or affiliated to the Cameroon Football Federation has the
obligation to respect the convocation of the federation in line with
Fifa regulations. Any player who does not justify his absence in a match
or training is subject to sanction in line with the disciplinary code,
article 9 reads.
Article 28 stipulates sanctions ranging from warning,
suspension to ban from football activities with the possibility to
extend the sanction to the international level.
In 2008, France international Claude Makelele was
forced to delay his international retirement after then-coach Raymond
Domenech threatened to invoke a Fifa rule which would have meant a
domestic ban for the midfielder.
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