The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (SYNAFOC) has described as “barbaric” and called for a thorough investigation into the alleged assault on the captain of MTN Elite Two club, Isle of Hope Sports Academy (ISOHSA) of Limbe by a referee.
The Cameroon social media space has been awash with a video in which ISOHSA captain, Jefter Arrey Oduak is brutally headbutted by professional league referee Bomba Martin during an MTN Elite Two Playoffs Down match at the FECAFOOT Technical Center in Odza, Yaounde on Monday June 23.
The incident was provoked by a disagreement over a penalty awarded ISOHSA’s opponent and judged by the players as unfair treatment and in the midst of the altercation, the referee sends off ISOHSA’s Richard Samekomba with a red card.
In protest, players of the Limbe-based club all sat down and during the protest, the captain moves to the bench. On return, he is shown a red card by the referee on grounds he went off the pitch without permission – a scene that provokes a heated argument between the players and the referee who then headbutts the player adding to the ugly scenes that have characterized Cameroon domestic league recently.
The captain, ISOHSA said, has since been responding to treatment. In a statement on Wednesday, June 25, the president of the Limbe-based club Karl Njomo Mokake said the club is victim of possible match fixing describing the incident as distressing low point for Cameroon football.
“Referee Bomba Martin shockingly headbutted our skipper, Arrey Jefter. This violent act followed a series of biased calls and insensitive remarks allegedly made by the referee regarding the club’s background and ethnic composition—comments that run counter to national efforts aimed at peace and unity in the Anglophone regions,” the statement reads in part.
While reaffirming their support for the player and his entourage, SYNAFOC said it was more alarmed by the fact that act was committed by an official who is responsible for the physical integrity of players.
“Hence, SYNAFOC demands that a serious investigation be conducted to shed light on the matter, establish responsibilities, identify the culprit(s), and severely punish them, in accordance with current regulations,” Geremi Njitap-led players’ syndicate said:
In the meantime, the union has urged players to stay disciplined, professional and steadfast.
Local football in the country has recently been characterized by what fans call unpleasant on and off the pitch scenes.
Reports of a referee officiating seven top-flight games in eight days have gone viral on social media, leaving many wondering why and how such things are happening in the country.
Some fans have accused the referees of running after money at the detriment of their careers.
“Our football has been reduced to a market hustle – sold like fresh tomatoes at no pride, no purpose,” one of the fans said.
The officials of the beautiful game in Cameroon have raised concerns of unpaid salaries by the Cameroon Football Federation led by the former skipper of the national team Samuel Eto’o Fils.
The former iconic centre forward of the Indomitable Lions, who claims to be on a mission to revolutionise the prestigious sport, has come under severe criticism for what critics describe as scandalous management of the FA, months to the end of his first mandate.
