World Cup 2014: Benoit Assou-Ekotto explains why he headbutted Cameroon team-mate

The Tottenham full-back revealed that he and team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo have cleared the air after discussing their on-field incident

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was involved in an on-pitch fracas with his team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo (Getty images)

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed the reasons behind his decision to headbutt his Cameroon team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.

The pair clashed during Cameroon's heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Croatia, where ugly scenes also saw Alex Song sent off in Manaus.

Assou-Ekotto headbutted Moukandjo after the striker refused to acknowledge criticism from the 30-year-old, but has now attempted to clear up the situation.

Speaking to L'Equipe, he said: "It all started with the first match against Mexico. Moukandjo was on my flank, he tried to dribble past two opponents and lost the ball.

"I told him he should pass it to me. He replied I was right. The same situation happened against Croatia again. Everyone can make a mistake. But when I told him again, he replied: 'Get off my back!'

"I could not accept his reaction. There was so much frustration in that match.

"Now people take me for an idiot. I could not control my temper. If the score was 0-0, it would have not happened."

Assou-Ekotto, who spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, said that he and Moukandjo have now buried the hatchet with the help of Samuel Eto'o, and dismissed suggestions that he could banned from the national team.

He added: "When we went back to the changing-room, Samuel Eto’o talked to me, but I was so angry that I didn’t admit I was wrong.

"The next day, we met with Moukandjo again during breakfast and we shook hands.

"That kind of thing can happen when a team doesn’t work right. I didn’t think. Millions of people were watching at the match, and a lot of kids.

"I have not been threatened with a ban from the group. I am a human being and I can get upset just like anyone.”

Cameroon face Brazil in their final game before heading home, with their fate already decided after defeats to Mexico and Croatia left them bottom of Group A.