Fecafoot ends Joseph Ndoko’s Cameroon football career with permanent suspension

Joseph Ndoko has been banned for life from all football-related activity in Cameroon after being found guilty of abuse of office, damage to physical and moral integrity, and attempted corruption.

The former Cameroon women’s Under-17 coach was suspended by the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) several months ago following accusations of “atteinte aux mœurs” – allegations concerning conduct deemed contrary to public morality. Following a disciplinary procedure and hearings involving the parties concerned, Fecafoot has now imposed its most severe possible sanction.

Ndoko is therefore prohibited from carrying out any football-related activity in Cameroon for the rest of his life. The decision represents a highly unusual level of punishment and brings a dramatic end to the reputation he had built through his work with clubs and national teams.

The case emerged just days before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco in October 2025. Fecafoot removed Ndoko from his position after describing the allegations against him as «graves accusations d’atteinte aux mœurs». His suspension sent shockwaves through the Cameroon squad.

The players subsequently released a video which went viral. In it, they criticised the sudden departure of their coach and publicly called for Ndoko and his staff to be reinstated.

Ndoko rejected the process at the time, saying he had not been given the opportunity to present his case. He described the decision as «hative et diffamatoire» and called for a transparent investigation to protect his honour and reputation.

The disciplinary proceedings have now reached their conclusion. Fecafoot’s ruling shows that the federation considers the allegations serious enough to justify permanently excluding Ndoko from the football environment in Cameroon.

However, the sanction does not automatically prevent him from working abroad. Ndoko is currently employed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to CamFoot, meaning the ban applies within Cameroon rather than representing a worldwide prohibition.

Ndoko previously managed Cameroon’s senior women’s national team and had, in recent years, developed a reputation as a successful and determined coach. His record had helped establish him as a notable figure in the country’s women’s football.

That standing has now been fundamentally altered by the lifetime suspension. The ruling leaves Ndoko facing one of the most serious disciplinary cases to have affected Cameroonian football in recent years.

The complaint that led to the procedure was reportedly filed by Celine Eko, vice-president of Fecafoot. After the different parties were heard, the federation confirmed the findings against Ndoko and delivered the final sanction.

For a coach who had been associated primarily with sporting achievements at club and international level, the outcome marks a stark reversal. His future may continue outside Cameroon, but his involvement in football within the country has been brought to an end.