Cameroon FA deals with trio

The Cameroon FA has fined Arsenal midfielder Alex Song and reprimanded Tottenham’s Benoit Assou-Ekotto for code of conduct breaches.

Song, Assou-Ekotto and Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o were summoned to appear before the association’s disciplinary committee for separate infractions last Tuesday.

All three had attracted the attention of officials for their behaviour during and around the African nation’s 0-0 draw with Senegal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on June 4.

Song had been called to answer for an ‘attitude of contempt’ charge after he refused to shake Eto’o’s hand in the team hotel before the Senegal clash.

The 23-year-old was slapped with a 1,500-pound fine, which he can bypass by serving three days of community service at a Cameroonian football academy.

Spurs left-back Assou-Ekotto was asked to explain why he ignored a call-up for the qualifier and failed to inform the FA of his absenteeism.

The 27-year-old was ‘severely reprimanded’ for his actions.

Finally, Eto’o was arraigned for missing a training session before the qualifier, and for interfering with Cameroon coach Javier Clemente’s substitutions during the match.

The Inter Milan striker was acquitted following testimony from his coach, who said via telephone that Eto’o had been given permission to skip training and had only intervened following a misunderstanding with a linesman.