Dramatic protest: Cameroon champions Colombe leave pitch over penalty

The Champions Trophy in Cameroon was thrown into turmoil after players from Colombe Sportive du Sud walked off the pitch in protest during their match against Panthère du Ndé at the Ngoa-Ekelle Omnisports Stadium.

The incident occurred in the 69th minute with the score level at 1-1.

Colombe’s players were incensed after the referee awarded a penalty to Panthère du Ndé, a decision they strongly disputed.

The spot-kick was converted, drawing the sides level and intensifying tensions on the field.

According to reports from the match, the decision was immediately challenged by the Colombe players, who believed the penalty to be unjust.

The protest escalated as head coach Richard Towa and his squad chose to halt play.

With approximately 20 minutes remaining in regulation time, the Cameroonian champions left the pitch entirely.

The match did not resume. In the absence of one team, the referee later blew the final whistle in the 90th minute, bringing proceedings to an abrupt and controversial conclusion.

The fallout now rests with the relevant football authorities.

The homologation committee will determine the outcome of the fixture, which forms part of the Champions Trophy — the equivalent of Cameroon’s Super Cup.

Possible sanctions could include forfeiture of the match for Colombe Sportive du Sud and potential disciplinary measures.

The extraordinary scenes have cast a shadow over what is traditionally a celebratory fixture marking the start of the domestic season.

Instead of focusing on football, attention has shifted to the disciplinary process that will follow and the precedent such a protest may set within Cameroonian football.

The final decision is expected to clarify the official result and any consequences stemming from one of the most dramatic episodes in recent national competition history.