FIFA referee Jeannot Franck Bito, has come under heavy scrutiny after his latest game in the cup of Cameroon semi finals, at the CAF technical Center, Mbankomo.
Formerly used as a yardstick to access referees in Cameroon, Bito has made some questionable calls in past games, that raised eyebrows.
On Saturday June 15, the young referee awarded two penalties in a minute 30 seconds, that caused some crowd trouble.
The first penalty appeared to be a shoulder-to-shoulder in the area, but Mr. Bito did not fret or take the assistant’s view, as he ran straight to the middle.
Even more questionable was the second pen. Where the ball struck the arm of an ISOHSA player, less than four yards, and another penalty awarded, just at the restart of the game.
The question of proximity, if the players’ arm was caught in a natural or unnatural position was rather adjudjed by fans, and not the “adjudicator” who should be the one at ease with the rules of the game.
At the pose, fans gathered around the referee, threatening the worst, and had to be dispersed by the forces of law and order.
Colombe eventually won the game 3-0 at the end, and gloves were taken-off in post match reactions by angry fans.
“If this is what Cameroon considers its best, then, we do not have any referees in this country,” a fan who wanted to stay anonymous stated.
“I used to think Bito was clear of errors and very professional, until I witnessed his games; Victoria United Vs. Stade Renard; March 2024, and Victoria United Vs. Leopard (2018).
Failure to convince at the big stage
Touted ” Cameroon’s finest ” In the 2023 season where the country of fine officials recorded numerous officiating scandals, Bito has since been assigned to the so called tough games, where, many believe, he didn’t live up to expectations.
The last game of the championship season pitting Stade Renard against Victoria United, saw very basic and elementary errors from the arbitrale core led by Bito.
“I wasn’t aware that Bito can be sent on a mission. He has definitely been compromised,” a Stade Renard fan aired after the game.
All these, at a time where FECAFOOT president – Samuel Eto’o, is being auditioned for a case of match fixing. Officials in the country, even those tagged the best, have lived unworthy moments on the pitch.
“When I saw Bito, I started having doubts about my game, ” ISOHSA coach, Joseph Mbock Maput repeatedly stated prior and after ISOHSA’s cup of Cameroon elimination against Colombe.
As per the gaffer, he had seen some terrible officiating by Mr. Bito Frank at the 2018 National interpools in the game pitting Victoria United against Léopard of Douala.
Cameroon has been the home of not just talented athletes, but top match officials. Alioum Sidi alongside Evariste Mekounde; first assistant and Elvis Guy Noupue, officiated the biggest game on the continent (AFCON 2019 finals), which now seems a long time ago.
If Cameroon must reach the pinnacle of officiating again, the country needs to work on competence, and it starts now.
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