May 31, 2008 11:00pm

CAMEROON international striker Samuel Eto'o has been accused of head-butting a journalist during a heated press conference in Yaounde.

Local radio reporter Philippe Bony claimed that the 27-year-old Barcelona star head-butted him after tempers flared between journalists and Cameroon players on Friday.

Journalists refused to take part in the press conference in protest at the decision by team officials to limit their access to players during training sessions ahead of Saturday's African Nations Cup and 2010 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde.

In the melee that followed, members of the Cameroon team confiscated television cameras and mobile phones, according to the journalists present.

"He (Eto'o) grabbed me round the neck, then head-butted me above the lip. My tooth has been loosened,'' Mr Bony said.

Mr Bony also claimed that he had suffered a double hand fracture after being set upon by Eto'o's bodyguards.

The journalist said that he intends to take legal action against the player.

Eto'o - who is reportedly in the middle of contract talks with English Premier League club Tottenham - was not available for comment.