Cameroonian football is currently facing a financial dispute between the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and Colombe du Sud, a football club. At the heart of the disagreement is the non-payment of subsidies, which Colombe du Sud estimates at 600 million CFA francs. Pierre Batamack, an influential figure within FECAFOOT, has spoken out to clarify the situation.
Batamack, who holds the positions of President of Avion FC, spokesperson for the Association of Elite Clubs of Cameroon (ACEC), and senior executive at FECAFOOT, denounces a disinformation campaign. He insists that FECAFOOT has never refused to pay subsidies to Colombe du Sud. According to him, the suspension of payments was initiated by ACEC, motivated by a debt owed by Colombe to other clubs.
ACEC requested FECAFOOT to block funds destined for Colombe du Sud due to a debt the club incurred with other teams. Batamack explains that this action, called "third-party holder," aims to guarantee the reimbursement of sums owed to other clubs. He justifies this measure by stating that without this blockage, Colombe du Sud would not settle its debts.
Batamack also addressed the issue of financial benefits from the World Cup, which, according to him, were not redistributed by Colombe du Sud to other clubs, contrary to what was stipulated in the agreement. He maintains that subsidies received by Colombe were seized to settle debts with other clubs, an action intended to protect the interests of ACEC members.
Colombe du Sud's refusal to play a match has exacerbated the situation. Batamack describes this act as unacceptable and damaging to the image of Cameroonian football. He questions the amount of 600 million CFA francs claimed by Colombe du Sud and expresses concern about the consequences of such behavior on the credibility of national competitions.
Pierre Batamack reiterated the firm position of FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o, who refuses any blackmail. He warned that sanctions will be taken against clubs that do not respect their financial commitments to other clubs. He called on indebted clubs to pay their debts before claiming any subsidies from FECAFOOT.
This case highlights the governance and financial transparency challenges facing Cameroonian football, as well as the tensions between clubs and the governing body. The outcome of this standoff remains uncertain, divided between an administrative resolution and potential legal action. In the meantime, the Transitional Council of Professional Football (CTFP) has announced the postponement of the MTN Elite One championship's 9th-day matches, initially scheduled, due to a training camp for the senior national team A'.
