Colombe Sportive du Dja et Lobo from Sangmélima is facing heavy sanctions from FECAFOOT following its boycott of the Cameroon Super Cup match against Panthère du Ndé. The match, held at the military stadium in Yaoundé, was interrupted in the 69th minute, with the score at 1-1, due to a penalty awarded to Panthère, a decision contested by Colombe.
According to Richard Naha, a journalist close to FECAFOOT, the federation's regulations are clear: boycotting a match and contesting referee decisions exposes the team to severe sanctions. The referee ended the match in favor of Panthère Sportive du Ndé, thus confirming the loss of the trophy for Colombe.
FECAFOOT regulations emphasize respect for referee decisions, respect for opponents, fair play, and self-control. Misconduct includes insults, physical aggression, simulation, and refusal to obey the referee's instructions. Possible sanctions range from a yellow card to a red card, including match suspensions.
FECAFOOT considers referee errors an integral part of the game, while implementing procedures to minimize their impact, such as Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Teams are required to accept referee decisions to maintain the integrity of the game.
A team that voluntarily withdraws from a match may be sanctioned by forfeiting the match (3-0), a financial fine, penalty points, suspension from competitions, or even exclusion. The competent FECAFOOT commissions are expected to address the situation to determine the applicable sanctions.
In parallel, Colombe Sportive du Dja et Lobo is claiming more than 200 million FCFA from FECAFOOT, corresponding to unpaid bonuses for victories in the Super Cup, Cameroon Championship, and Cameroon Cup, as well as participation in the Champions League. The club accuses FECAFOOT of not having paid these sums for several years, raising questions about the federation's financial management.
The potential sanctions for boycotting the Champions Trophy could worsen the club's already precarious financial situation, which, despite an ambitious budget, has not yet received the promised subsidies. FECAFOOT has not yet officially communicated on the measures it intends to take.
