Colombe Sportive walks off in protest after controversial penalty against Panthère Sportive

The reigning Colombe Sportive players staged a dramatic protest on Thursday, 26 February, walking off the pitch at the Military Stadium 20 minutes before the end of their Elite One clash against Panthère Sportive after a controversial penalty was awarded to the visitors.

With the score tied 1-1, the referee blew the final whistle in the 90th minute as the Colombe players refused to resume play, leaving fans stunned and awaiting the decision of the certification committee.

In a statement addressing the incident, Colombe Sportive’s management expressed frustration with what they described as repeated refereeing injustices.

“At first glance, we understand the disappointment of our thousands of supporters who came to cheer our club,” the statement read. “However, our decision to withdraw the players was a protest against repeated refereeing errors that compromise the neutrality of officiating.”

The club highlighted a concerning pattern over the past week. Colombe faced Panthère du Ndé twice, and both matches featured controversial penalty decisions immediately after halftime. In Thursday’s encounter in Yaoundé, the disputed penalty was compounded by a red card shown to Colombe’s captain. The management described these calls as “unjustified” and cited them as evidence of unfair treatment.

Despite the protest, Colombe’s leadership stressed their respect for football authorities in Cameroon, noting that the club has historically maintained fair play and sportsmanship. The statement referenced their previous conduct in the Cameroon Cup final, where La Panthère emerged victorious, emphasizing that Colombe continues to uphold values of calmness, fairness, and harmony on and off the field.

The incident now awaits review by the relevant committees, with potential disciplinary and regulatory decisions expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Elite One clash has reignited debates over refereeing standards in Cameroon’s top-flight league.