Barca have written permission to retain Eto'o: Rijkaard

Barcelona have written permission from Cameroon to delay striker Samuel Eto'o joining the country's African Nations Cup preparations until Saturday, the Primera Liga club's coach Frank Rijkaard said on Tuesday.

"We have written permission from the Cameroon Federation," Rijkaard told a news conference.

"The important thing for Samuel is to play and the Federation and their coach have seen that that is best for them and for us."

Barcelona have included Eto'o in their squad to face Sevilla in the first leg of their King's Cup last-16 tie on Wednesday and expect to field him at home to Real Murcia in the Primera Liga on Saturday before he hooks up with Cameroon.

Earlier, a Cameroon Football Federation spokesman called on Monday for Eto'o's immediate release to join their squad preparing for the tournament in Ghana which kicks off on Jan 20.

"We were surprised by Rijkaard's declaration because we've not reached such an agreement with Barca," Abdouraman said late on Monday referring to media reports quoting the Dutch coach about a deal.

"This is unacceptable. We want Eto'o released immediately so that he joins the rest of the squad," he added.

National coach Otto Pfister needed Eto'o in training to be able to make a final squad selection by the Jan 10 deadline, Abdouraman said.

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.

"We hope they do not put us in a situation of considering some action against them," he said.

Abdouraman said Barcelona contacted the federation 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 Egypt on Jan. 22.