The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has suspended multiple match officials, including five referees, a general coordinator, and a match commissioner, following severe officiating errors and logistical disruptions during recent MTN Elite One championship fixtures.
According to a statement by Stéphane Foko Kamga, president of the Central Referee Commission (CCA), dated May 17, 2026, the officials from the PWD de Bamenda versus Unisport de Bafang match were sidelined for grave misconduct.
A FECAFOOT official said the general coordinator failed to inform superiors and prevent unsportsmanlike behavior, while the match commissioner unauthorizedly replaced fourth official Ndanga Moudi with Asangwa Abenwie at halftime.
Journalist Nana Paul Sabin reported that Unisport du Haut-Nkam faced pre-match hostility, with team members forcing their way into the stadium after being denied access and being pelted with eggs.
Journalist Afeseh Apong noted that Moudi claimed he left the pitch simply because he felt cold.
Systemic Refereeing Failures
Radio Balafon sports journalist Charles Douglas Demba highlighted systemic refereeing failures across the league, noting that dubious decisions directly alter match results, standings, and the credibility of Cameroonian football.
Demba explained that all decisions causing public indignation had a direct impact on the final result, points, standings, and the image of the MTN Elite One and Cameroonian football.
He cited referee Martin Bomba, who officiated Victoria United vs Aigle de la Menoua and Stade Renard de Melong vs Aigle de la Menoua, awarding four penalties to Victoria United and four to Stade Renard, leading to accusations of bias.
Demba further stated that previous suspensions on January 25 involving officials from Victoria United's 3-0 win over PWD de Bamenda and Dynamo's 4-2 victory against AS Fortuna opened a Pandora's box of subsequent officiating errors.
In those matches, referees Beboule Amayene, assistant Ngalah Alain, assistant Didier Asongwed, and fourth official Tirike Mbeng were provisionally suspended, along with the quartet from the Victoria United-PWD match.
Amid the officiating crisis, league leaders Unisport du Haut-Nkam face intense pressure regarding volatile performances, such as scoring 14 goals in two matches before a heavy defeat.
Sports analyst Gerald Ele called for a rigorous investigation into these performances to preserve sports equity, warning that upcoming northern away matches against Coton Sport and Gazelle FA will be decisive.
The Transitional Council of Professional Football (Ctfp) scheduled the 20th matchday fixtures to proceed despite the controversies.
On May 24, Unisport will travel to Limbé to face Victoria United at the Ngueme stadium, while other fixtures include Canon sportif de Yaoundé hosting Aigle du Moungo, Aigle de la Menoua playing Dynamo, and PWD de Bamenda meeting Fauve Azur.
Gazelle FA will play Panthère sportive du Ndé, Coton sport faces Stade Renard de Melong, and the final matchday fixture between AS Fortuna and Colombe sportive takes place on Monday, May 25.
