The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has expressed its desire to revise the February 2015 agreement that has been the source of ongoing conflict with the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (Minsep).
In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday, September 3, Fecafoot announced that it is awaiting a response from Minsep regarding the proposed revisions.
“FECAFOOT thanks the Apex Body for its interest in the smooth running of football in Cameroon and takes note of all its recommendations, particularly those concerning the urgent revision of the Minsep/Fecafoot agreement of February 5, 2015,” a statement from the federation reads.
“It also wishes to reiterate that it is still waiting for Minsep’s kind response to revise the aforementioned agreement as soon as possible, as recommended by FIFA and requested in the letter sent on August 20, 2024, to which a draft revision was attached,” the statement continued.
This statement follows a letter from FIFA, the world football governing body, recommending that both parties revise Article 13 of the 2015 agreement.
“As already mentioned in our letter of May 6, 2024, we recommend that the agreement signed with the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education in 2015 be revised as soon as possible to clarify the rights and competencies of each of the stakeholders,” FIFA stated in its letter dated August 26.
Article 13 of the 2015 agreement, referenced by FIFA, emphasizes the need for calm and concerted management of football in a spirit of mutual respect, dialogue, solidarity, and patriotism.
It also outlines the establishment of consultation frameworks to prevent conflicts and ensure ongoing communication between the parties.
The ongoing friction between FECAFOOT and MINSEP has been exacerbated by Cameroon’s chaotic exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and President Paul Biya’s promise to intervene.
Fecafoot has indicated its readiness to comply with FIFA’s recommendation for the revision, seeking greater autonomy in the management of football in Cameroon.
FECAFOOT contends that MINSEP, as its supervisory body, has been disrupting the smooth running and organization of football activities, particularly concerning international matches.
“FIFA recommends that FECAFOOT cooperate and work calmly with all parties involved, while respecting each other’s competencies, to avoid the actions of certain parties being perceived as interference, which could lead to sanctions against Cameroon.
In this regard, FIFA guarantees the independence and autonomy of Fecafoot in the management of its sporting and organizational affairs as per its statutes,” the Fecafoot statement continued.
Fecafoot has committed to working in strict compliance with the guidelines outlined in FIFA’s letter, warning that any violation of these guidelines could result in the suspension of Cameroon from international football.
