Several high-profile players have been removed from FIFA editions over the past few years and another Icon's place on the FIFA 23 roster could be in doubt.
Samuel Eto'o is the man in question, with his place in the game in jeopardy after a video of him outside Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar surfaced.
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The former Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea striker was leaving the stadium at the time when the footage was filmed by La Opinion, after watching Brazil comfortably beat South Korea in the World Cup Round of 16.
Eto'o incident
As reported by the Mail Online, "shocking footage has emerged online of football legend and current Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto'o attacking a man outside a stadium at the World Cup in Qatar."
Eto'o originally "appear[ed] happy to pose for photos with waiting fans as he [made] his way out of the venue, before a man with a video camera approache[d] him to his right."
The footage "then seemingly shows the pair exchanging words, before the video cuts to a few seconds later, and Eto'o returning to the scene to confront the man."
According to the Mail Online, "It is unclear what was said to rile Eto'o but he reacts furiously and begins to push the cameraman."
"At this point, various onlookers step in to try and quell the disruption, but Eto'o is set on chasing the man and eventually has to be held back as he continues to try and confront him."
"With four men holding Eto'o back, the footage then shows him giving his phone to a man, before breaking out of the huddle to knee the man in the face, knocking him to the ground."
Beginning of the end?
EA has not hesitated in removing Icons from previous FIFA titles when the circumstances warrant such action, which could suggest Eto'o's place in Ultimate Team is in serious jeopardy.
Last year, the news was announced that Argentina's footballing hero Diego Maradona would be removed from the game due to a third-party dispute.
FIFA 22 also saw the deduction of Arsenal legend Marc Overmars due to the harassment allegations against him that led to his subsequent removal from the Ajax Board.
Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was removed from all FIFA 22 game modes following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault.
True footballing great
Eto'o, who is in Qatar carrying out his role as the World Cup 2022 legacy ambassador, retired from football back in 2019.
Arguably the best African player of all time, the Cameroonian striker was part of the squad that won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002.
The number nine has won the prestigious African Player of the Year award a record four times in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.
The most successful period in his career came with his five-year spell at Barcelona, winning the Spanish La Liga title three times and the UEFA Champions League twice: in 2006 and 2009.
The centre-forward then signed with Inter Milan for the 2009/10 season, where he became the first player to win two back-to-back European continental trebles with different clubs.
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