Cameroon players’ union challenges federation over minimum wage rules

Cameroon’s footballers’ union SYNAFOC has urged the country’s football federation to suspend newly introduced minimum salary levels, saying they are too low for professional players to meet basic living costs.

The union says the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) set minimum monthly wages for the 2026-27 season without consulting player representatives, and has called for urgent talks before the measures take effect.

Under the reported pay structure, players in the men’s top flight, MTN Elite One, would earn a minimum of CFA 200,000 (305 euros) per month, while those in MTN Elite Two and the women’s Guinness Super League would receive at least CFA 75,000 (114 euros).

“The current minimum salary is entirely incompatible with the dignity and status of a professional footballer,” SYNAFOC president Geremie Njitap said.

The former Cameroon international, who played for clubs including Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Chelsea, said players would struggle to meet even their most basic needs under the proposed rates.

‘Survival mode’

SYNAFOC argues that the lower minimum salary is particularly inadequate for players supporting families.

“In practical terms CFA 75,000 a month is insufficient to sustain a single individual, let alone a professional athlete who must also support a family,” Njitap said.

“After paying for basic housing and daily food, a player is left with virtually nothing for specialised nutrition, transport to training, medical care or family emergencies.

“It forces them into survival mode, making it impossible to maintain the physical and mental wellbeing required for professional football.”

The union believes minimum wages should instead be agreed through collective bargaining, taking into account the cost of living, inflation, clubs’ financial circumstances and international standards for professional athletes.

“These figures should not be imposed unilaterally by the federation,” Njitap added.

Calls for stronger financial oversight

The row comes against the backdrop of long-running concerns over late and unpaid wages in Cameroonian football.

In 2024, SYNAFOC launched a campaign urging clubs to honour player contracts and pay salaries on time.

“When clubs fail to pay salaries on time – or do not pay them at all – it can place families under severe financial pressure and strip players of their peace of mind,” Njitap said.

He also warned that financial instability could leave players more vulnerable to risks including match-fixing.

For the past three years, SYNAFOC has published a monthly salary barometer tracking payments across MTN Elite One, MTN Elite Two and the Guinness Super League.

The union is now proposing a joint monitoring committee involving FECAFOOT, SYNAFOC and clubs, while also calling for wages to be paid through traceable bank transfers and salary compliance to become part of club licensing requirements.

It says clubs that fail to pay players in full and on time should face sporting and administrative sanctions, including transfer bans, points deductions or disqualification from competitions.

SYNAFOC says it has written twice to FECAFOOT’s general secretary within the past three weeks seeking talks and a permanent consultation mechanism, but has yet to receive a response.

“If FECAFOOT continues to refuse to engage in dialogue, SYNAFOC reserves the right to take all necessary institutional and trade union action to defend its members’ rights,” Njitap said, adding that the union could refer the dispute to FIFPRO and FIFA.