By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist,kick442.com-Cameroon
The Cameroon Association of Football Referees (ACAF) has declared an indefinite suspension of all officiating activities across domestic competitions organized by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), effective Monday, April 21, 2025.
The decision, announced by ACAF’s National President, impacts referees and assistant referees involved in the Professional Elite One and Elite Two Championships, the Women’s First Division Championship, regional and departmental leagues, as well as futsal and beach soccer tournaments.
The move comes in response to unresolved financial disputes, primarily centered on unpaid allowances totaling approximately 300 million CFA francs (roughly $500,000) accumulated over four seasons, including the ongoing 2024–2025 campaign.
In a strongly worded directive, ACAF urged its members to remain vigilant, resolute, and unified, emphasizing that referees must resist “any form of pressure, manipulation, intimidation, or blackmail” from third parties seeking to undermine the strike.
The association reiterated that developments regarding the suspension would be communicated exclusively through official channels, signaling a firm stance in negotiations with FECAFOOT. The unpaid dues, which include match fees and operational allowances for referees, assistant referees, and inspectorate officials, have reportedly persisted since 2021, exacerbating tensions between referees and football authorities.
The strike compounds existing turmoil within Cameroonian football, which has faced escalating financial and administrative challenges under FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o’s leadership. Recent controversies include public clashes with clubs such as Bamboutos FC, which accused the federation of financial mismanagement and unethical practices, prompting threats of legal action from FECAFOOT. The referees’ walkout now threatens to paralyze the domestic football calendar, risking fixture cancellations and further eroding confidence in the federation’s governance.
ACAF’s leadership has emphasized its openness to dialogue but maintains that full payment of arrears is non-negotiable. The association’s decision reflects growing frustration among referees, who have cited deteriorating working conditions and prolonged financial neglect as primary grievances.
With the April 21 deadline now in effect, stakeholders await FECAFOOT’s response to avert a prolonged crisis. The standoff underscores systemic issues within Cameroonian football, including transparency concerns and the urgent need for structural reforms to restore trust between referees, clubs, and administrators.
As the situation unfolds, the strike’s ripple effects could extend beyond domestic leagues, potentially impacting Cameroon’s football reputation and operational stability. ACAF has vowed to uphold the suspension until its demands are met, while FECAFOOT faces mounting pressure to address the financial impasse swiftly. The coming days will prove critical in determining whether both parties can reach a resolution or if the stalemate will deepen, leaving Cameroon’s football season in limbo.
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