a écrit le 8 janvier 2008 à 21h45 CFF spokesman Abdouraman had called on Monday for Eto'o's immediate release to join the Cameroon squad preparing for the tournament in Ghana which kicks off on Jan. 20.
Abdouraman, who claimed there was no deal with Barcelona, said Pfister needed Eto'o in training to be able to make a final squad selection by the Jan. 10 deadline.
ESSENTIAL ROLE
Eto'o was the only member of a 28-man shortlist not to have confirmed his attendance at a training camp in Burkina Faso and Abdouraman called on Barcelona to release the player by Tuesday.
Abdouraman said Barcelona contacted the CFF last month to request Eto'o remained with the Spanish club until Jan. 16, but Pfister replied that this was impossible because of the essential role the striker plays in the squad.
Barcelona were also reminded of FIFA rules for continental championships stating clubs must release players two weeks before the start of the tournament, Abdouraman said.
"But, surprisingly, last Saturday night we received a message instead from Barca's medical doctor, not the club management as expected, stating that releasing Eto'o would jeopardise his re-education after a prolonged period of absence from the pitch due to a knee injury," said Abdouraman.
Eto'o returned to action for Barcelona last month after a long-term injury that required surgery.
Four-times Nations Cup winners Cameroon are in Group C with Egypt, Sudan and Zambia. The Indomitable Lions play their first game against
Abdouraman, who claimed there was no deal with Barcelona, said Pfister needed Eto'o in training to be able to make a final squad selection by the Jan. 10 deadline.
ESSENTIAL ROLE
Eto'o was the only member of a 28-man shortlist not to have confirmed his attendance at a training camp in Burkina Faso and Abdouraman called on Barcelona to release the player by Tuesday.
Abdouraman said Barcelona contacted the CFF last month to request Eto'o remained with the Spanish club until Jan. 16, but Pfister replied that this was impossible because of the essential role the striker plays in the squad.
Barcelona were also reminded of FIFA rules for continental championships stating clubs must release players two weeks before the start of the tournament, Abdouraman said.
"But, surprisingly, last Saturday night we received a message instead from Barca's medical doctor, not the club management as expected, stating that releasing Eto'o would jeopardise his re-education after a prolonged period of absence from the pitch due to a knee injury," said Abdouraman.
Eto'o returned to action for Barcelona last month after a long-term injury that required surgery.
Four-times Nations Cup winners Cameroon are in Group C with Egypt, Sudan and Zambia. The Indomitable Lions play their first game against
