Former Cameroon international and Africa’s most decorated footballer Samuel Eto’o has been given the European Medal of Tolerance from non-governmental organisation European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation.

Samuel Eto'o Honoured for Stand Against Racism

Eto’o was honoured in London for his persistent stand against racism, which he has suffered while playing in the Spanish and Russian top flight.

According to ECTR President Moshe Kantor, Eto’o was given the award due to having “the courage and will to stand against the racists, building awareness and inspiring fellow footballers and millions of football fans.”

34-year-old Eto’o, who now plays in Italy for Sampdoria, stated “Since that day (in 2005 after being racially abused by Real Zaragoza fans) I decided to stand up and fight against all the abuses either in the stadium or outside the stadium.”

The two-time UEFA Champions League winner and four-time African Footballer of the Year added “When I was growing up I thought everything was a life of friendship, respect and sharing. But I discovered that unfortunately you have people who aren’t behaving in the same way but have hatred.”

The well-travelled Cameroonian who spent the 2013/14 season with Chelsea also expressed his shock at the racist act from a handful of the Premier League club in the Paris Metro before a Champions League match at Paris St. Germain.