Explosive allegations have emerged against the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), as Justin Tagouh, former honorary president of Bamboutos FC, accuses the federation of deep-rooted corruption, financial mismanagement, and institutional abuse.
In a scathing statement made public over the weekend, Tagouh painted a bleak picture of a football governing body that has, in his view, strayed far from its mission.
“The federation is today run by a band of united adventurers,” he charged, denouncing a climate of fear, manipulation, and suppression within the organization.
At the centre of his claims lies the alleged misappropriation of substantial public funds allocated to football development between 2022 and 2024.
According to Tagouh, figures totaling over 2 billion CFA francs—including 1.68 billion intended for clubs and 300 million designated for referees—have either been poorly distributed or are simply untraceable.
“FECAFOOT has never produced a single serious report,” he declared, criticizing what he described as a blatant absence of accountability and transparency.
He also cited another 300 million CFA francs reportedly earmarked for ONIES, funds meant to support grassroots football, which he claims have been misused without explanation.
Tagouh’s accusations go beyond financial concerns.
He alleges that the federation’s internal justice system—particularly its Ethics Commission—has become a tool for settling personal scores.
Describing it as a system of “ghost courts” operated by “co-opted” magistrates, he accuses the leadership of weaponizing disciplinary structures to silence dissenting voices.
Supporting his claims, Tagouh pointed to documented transfers from the Ministry of Finance to the FECAFOOT treasurer, insisting that evidence of wrongdoing is available within the Public Treasury.
Several clubs, he says, have already filed complaints with the Special Criminal Court (TCS), suggesting legal proceedings may soon follow.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Tagouh says he is undeterred by threats.
“We don’t have long arms, but we have the right on our side,” he asserted.
Without explicitly naming the current president of FECAFOOT, he alleged that federation resources are being used for personal luxuries—such as international travel and bribing public figures—instead of supporting the sport’s development.
“Football money is used to fuel corruption,” he stated, as he urged a reckoning within the sport’s highest governing body in Cameroon.
The response from the state remains to be seen.
Pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Sports to investigate the claims, while all eyes are on the judiciary to determine whether these accusations will trigger concrete legal consequences.
