Fécafoot: 25 clubs threaten to boycott 2023-2024 season

A storm is currently shaking the foundations of Cameroonian football. With the ship taking on water from all sides, close to 25 professional clubs out of 35 are threatening to boycott the coming season unless major changes are made at the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot).

The source of the controversy is the Fécafoot presidency, a position that is questioned daily and has become a major point of contention. For these clubs, Samuel Eto’o is categorically no longer the right person for the job. The concerns raised by opponents of the former Indomitable Lion are amplified by a series of turbulent events. These include: "match-fixing, the suspension of around twenty referees for manipulating match results, the lack of transparency over the exact amount of sponsorship money", they say.

The situation has also become more complicated following the recent ruling by the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), which annulled all the resolutions of the Fécafoot General Assembly dated 27 August 2022. It reinstates Guibaï Gatama on the governing body's Executive Committee, as well as François Kouedem as head of the Western Regional League. It also overturns, among other things, the dissolution of the Professional Football League of Cameroon (LFPC).

Clubs want Eto’o out

Given this situation, the 25 clubs, meeting in Douala, have set out a series of conditions, of which three are the most important. First, they are calling for an extraordinary session of the Fécafoot General Assembly to officially declare the presidency of the Federation vacant. For them, this is a crucial step towards meaningful change.

Second, they have firmly resolved to take part in the 2023/2024 professional championships only if their running and administration are entrusted to the LFPC, regarded as a guarantor of fairness and sporting integrity. Third, they are urgently requesting that a General Assembly of the LFPC be convened to prepare the launch of the professional championships for the coming season.

A storm in a teacup (?)

In Samuel Eto’o's circle, the clubs' stance is causing little concern. "It's an empty threat, yet another bit of blackmail from club presidents. Their only problem is that they can no longer line their pockets with Federation subsidies, because Mr Eto’o makes sure they are used for the benefit of the players", argues a pro-Eto’o supporter.

It should be noted that before these 25 professional clubs, the Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (Acfac) met on 21 July to demand the resignation of Samuel Eto’o and his entire Fécafoot Executive Committee. Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened an investigation into the head of Cameroonian football.

The Editorial Team

Read also: Fécafoot: the net tightens ever further around Samuel Eto'o