As Cameroon’s Elite One championship prepares to resume after a seven-month suspension, tensions have surfaced between the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and the country’s refereeing body.
Referees, represented by the Association of Cameroonian Football Referees (Acaf), have expressed dissatisfaction over unpaid compensation spanning three seasons.
During a meeting on Tuesday with Fecafoot’s general secretary, Acaf raised concerns about outstanding arrears amounting to approximately 90 million FCFA (€122,558).
The meeting, however, ended without a concrete resolution, leaving referees uncertain about their financial future as the 2024-2025 season kicks off on Saturday.
Cameroonian referees have reportedly not received payments for officiating national cup and supercup matches over the past three seasons.
Former referee and Acaf spokesperson Batié Robert expressed frustration after the meeting, highlighting the lack of a clear payment schedule.
At the end of this working session, it was decided to establish a formal working framework between Fecafoot and Acaf.
However, Fecafoot’s general secretary cited significant financial challenges, despite the return of sponsors.
No timetable was provided for settling arrears or ensuring compensation for the upcoming season,” Batié told Radio Équinoxe.
This lack of resolution has raised concerns among referees about facing yet another challenging season.
Fecafoot, under the leadership of former football star Samuel Eto’o, has been embroiled in various controversies, including financial difficulties and disputes with the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Synafoc).
Synafoc, led by Geremi Njitap, recently secured a FIFA ruling that fined Fecafoot for failing to fulfill its obligations to players.
Unlike Synafoc, which has successfully leveraged legal mechanisms to address grievances, Acaf appears to lack similar coercive power.
This has left referees feeling marginalized and uncertain about their role in the upcoming season.
Qui va rater ça ! ! !
⚽⚽⚽🔥#MtnEliteOne2025#MtnEliteFootball#LoveFoot#FECAFOOT pic.twitter.com/C7gDjdwX1B
— Fecafoot-Officiel (@FecafootOfficie) December 4, 2024
Cameroonian football has faced significant instability in recent years, with the prolonged suspension of the Elite One championship reflecting broader structural issues.
While Fecafoot insists that returning sponsorship deals will improve financial prospects, the lack of immediate solutions to referee payments has further strained relationships within the football ecosystem.
As the championship resumes, unresolved financial disputes threaten to overshadow the league’s restart.
For referees, the question remains whether Fecafoot will honor its commitments or if they will be left navigating another season without fair compensation.
