Cameroon U17 camp faces legal questions over 2014 FECAFOOT decree

Cameroon’s preparations for the UNIFFAC U17 tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations U17, have raised questions about whether the national team’s training camp complies with a 2014 decree.

A squad of 23 players has been called up and is currently taking part in a camp with Cameroon’s national U17 side. However, an analysis of the decree establishing the rules governing national teams suggests the camp may breach national legislation.

Article 7, paragraph 3 of the decree states that, for the U15 and U17 national teams, “only players registered in competitions organised by FECAFOOT may be selected”.

The provision has prompted debate because all of the players called up are based outside Cameroon. They are playing in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and other countries.

The issue centres on whether the selection of players competing abroad is consistent with the requirements set out in the 2014 decree, as Cameroon prepares for the UNIFFAC U17 tournament.