"Cameroon Football Association to Suggest National Coach Following Emergency Meeting"

Yaounde, 6th April (Reuters) - In an urgent session on Saturday, Cameroon's football federation (FECAFOOT) tasked its president with suggesting an alternative coach for the national team, escalating tensions with the sports ministry. This move comes after FECAFOOT accused the ministry of unilaterally appointing Belgian Marc Brys as coach and other staff for the Indomitable Lions, who boast five African championships. The disagreement raises concerns about potential sanctions from FIFA due to its stringent regulations against government intervention in national football In a statement, FECAFOOT said its emergency committee had met on Saturday and unanimously confirmed that the federation had not been involved in the appointments in alleged contravention of regulations.

As a result, it asked its president Samuel Eto’o to propose a national coach and other management staff for the national side within 72 hours.

Responding to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the ministry said the result of the FECAFOOT meeting was "an appeal. It is not yet a decision."

Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi penned a letter to FECAFOOT on Friday, defending the coaching appointments, stating they adhered to both national and international regulations. In a document reviewed by Reuters, Kombi emphasized that the ministry's actions "do not impinge on FECAFOOT's autonomy and are in compliance with 'supranational regulations'." A ministry spokesperson verified the letter's authenticity.

Kombi's letter also said the salaries requested by three candidates earlier proposed by the federation for the position of coach ranged between 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) and 2.5 million euros per year.

"These are excessive amounts never paid to any coach in the history of the Indomitable Lions," Kombi said.

FECAFOOT did not respond to a request for comment on the letter.