FIFA Ends Cameroon Suspension

FIFA lifted Cameroon’s indefinite suspension on Monday and allowed the squad to continue their bid in next year’s World Cup tournament. 

After suspending the activities  of Cameroon’s Football Federation (Fecafoot) due to political interference, the Indomitable Lions can now travel and face Libya for the final play-off round of the qualifiers this September. Aside from that, Fecafoot can now resume to its previously interrupted activities and concerns.

The decision to lift the ban materialized after a normalization committee has been established to monitor Fecafoot’s ongoing projects. Former Minister of Education, Sports, Joseph Owona was tasked to oversee the committee’s activities.

Cameroon’s suspension came about when John Begheni Nedi sought police assistance after proclaiming himself as the newly appointed Fecafoot leader. Prior to that, the already detained, Iya Mohamed already won the election. But the election appeals committee voided such result.

In accordance with FIFA’s regulation, the presence of the police force extending a helping hand is considered as interference from outside parties. The decision was released several minutes after FIFA announced that Cameroon’s 2-0 defeat against Togo was turned into a 3-0 win. Togo was said to field an ineligible player on the pitch.

Fortunately, for Cameroon, the next FIFA announcement it received brought good news to the squad.

The Indomitable Lions is one of the top African World Cup contenders. The squad has appeared in the said tournament for six times. In 1990, it was the first African team to enter the quarter-finals. Apart from its World Cup appearance, it is also a dominant force in the African Cup of Nations, where it won four (4) trophies. 

Photo Credit: Nexdim Empire

Posted in: 2014 FIFA World Cup Africa Qualifiers,Cameroon