Former Cameroonian international Alexandre Song has made startling revelations regarding the national team, alleging that players paid bribes to secure their spots. Speaking in an interview with Investir au Pays, Song shed light on a controversial practice he claims to have witnessed during his time with the Indomitable Lions.
Song, a former defensive midfielder who represented Cameroon from 2008 to 2014, disclosed that he observed instances where players paid money to ensure their selection for national team matches.
“I witnessed certain scenes. It’s true. I saw during the AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), players, when we finished playing the match, we went to collect their bonuses in their rooms,” Song stated, highlighting the clandestine nature of these transactions.
While acknowledging the sensitive nature of his claims, Song emphasized the prevalence of such practices within the team environment.
He recounted an incident involving a teammate who was allegedly robbed during a team gathering, implicating unauthorized individuals who purportedly collected bonuses on behalf of players.
“It was someone from outside who came to collect… The player wasn’t even playing,” Song asserted, painting a picture of internal irregularities within the team’s financial management.
Addressing the broader implications of these revelations, Song underscored the ethical dilemma faced by players coerced into paying to secure their positions on the team.
“It is a choice. They tell you left or right and you choose. But the one who started has paid, will pay all his life unfortunately,” Song lamented, suggesting the long-term consequences for players involved in such transactions.
Despite the allegations, Song categorically denied ever engaging in or condoning such practices himself. “I cannot give a franc to play,” he affirmed, distancing himself from any suggestion of personal involvement in the reported bribery scheme.
The allegations made by Song have sparked renewed scrutiny into the governance and integrity of Cameroonian football, with observers and stakeholders calling for transparency and accountability within the national team setup.
The revelations come amidst ongoing efforts by the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) to address allegations of corruption and malpractice within the sport.
In response to Song’s claims, Fecafoot has yet to issue an official statement. The revelations have prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations to safeguard the integrity of the national team and uphold fair play principles in Cameroonian football.
As the controversy unfolds, Song’s disclosures have brought into question the ethical standards and management practices prevalent within the Cameroonian football fraternity.
The fallout from these allegations may prompt broader reforms aimed at ensuring a more transparent and equitable environment for players and stakeholders alike.
The full extent of Song’s revelations and their potential impact on Cameroonian football’s reputation remain to be seen as stakeholders await further developments and official responses to address the serious allegations leveled against the national team setup.
🔴 Alexandre Song : « J’ai assisté à certaines scènes. J’ai vu pendant la CAN, quand on finissait le match, des joueurs dont on venait récupérer les primes dans leur chambre. Ils leur donnaient la moitié ou je ne sais trop quoi. Quand j’ai su ça, je suis allé rester dans la… pic.twitter.com/edl6A0Qv2z
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) July 5, 2024
