The comments made by Roger Milla in Le Messager regarding the possible appointment of a European coach for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have sparked strong reactions within the football community.
Pierre Lechantre, a former coach of the Indomitable Lions, strongly criticized Milla, accusing him of promoting violence and displaying genuine racism. Lechantre expressed his disbelief at Milla’s comments, describing him as sanguine and not thinking about the consequences of his words. He went on to accuse Milla of openly calling for violence and exhibiting real racism.
Denis Lavagne, who was ousted from the head of the Lions of Cameroon, suggested that Milla’s remarks may be driven by personal interests. Lavagne speculated that Milla’s intention might be to ensure that the national team does not achieve positive results, allowing him to potentially take over the presidency of the federation and appoint a coach under his influence.
Adel Amrouche, the coach of Kenya, commented on Milla losing credibility and condemned the former player for making unacceptable statements. Amrouche emphasized that a coach is a citizen of the world and called for an end to violence and racist remarks.
Romain Billong, another compatriot, suggested that Milla’s comments were rooted in protectionism, with Milla possibly preferring opportunities for Cameroonian coaches or advocating for the retention of certain individuals. While dismissing the racism thesis, Billong noted that Milla may have gone too far and emphasized that anyone with the skills to help Cameroonian football should be welcomed.
The controversy over Milla’s comments appears to extend beyond football, with suggestions that personal interests and ambitions may be influencing the discourse.
