Cameroon Football in Crisis: Eto’o Defies Government, Insists on November 29 Election
The governance of Cameroonian football has erupted into an open and unprecedented power struggle, pitting the national football federation, FECAFOOT, led by legendary striker Samuel Eto’o, against the country’s Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP).
A Defiant Stance
In a move that signals a deep institutional crisis, FECAFOOT has publicly rejected a direct order from Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi to suspend its Elective General Assembly. The federation has declared that the vote, scheduled for November 29, will proceed as planned. This unequivocal refusal to comply with governmental authority places Cameroonian football in a precarious position and challenges the traditional balance of power between the state and sports bodies.
Autonomy vs. Oversight: The Core of the Conflict
The confrontation transcends a simple scheduling dispute. At its heart is a fundamental tension between the autonomy of sports federations and the state’s regulatory oversight. FECAFOOT’s stance is fortified by principles championed by FIFA, which strictly opposes governmental interference in football matters. The federation asserts it has followed its own statutes and obtained the necessary authorizations, framing the election as an internal affair.
Conversely, MINSEP justifies its intervention by citing the need to ensure a “regular, transparent, and open” electoral process. As a state-subsidized entity, FECAFOOT’s operations fall under ministerial purview, creating a legal and administrative gray zone where autonomy and accountability clash.
Eto’o’s Uncontested Candidacy and the Shadow of Sporting Failure
Compounding the controversy is the fact that Samuel Eto’o is the sole candidate for the presidency. The lack of opposition, combined with the government’s suspension order, casts a long shadow over the legitimacy of the entire process. This political firestorm ignites at a particularly vulnerable moment for Cameroonian football, following the recent elimination of the Indomitable Lions from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The timing fuels public perception that the battle is more about personal and institutional power than the health and future of the sport itself.
High-Stakes Consequences
The decision to proceed with the November 29 election carries significant risks. Minister Kombi has threatened to take “all necessary measures” to preserve public order, which could involve state intervention. Such a move, however, could trigger sanctions from FIFA, potentially leading to Cameroon’s suspension from international football—a devastating outcome for the nation’s teams and players.
The outcome of this standoff will set a critical precedent, determining not only who leads FECAFOOT but also redefining the relationship between the Cameroonian government and its sports federations for years to come.
This report is based on information from the original source article.