African Football Head Wants Action Against Cameroon

The head of women's soccer in Africa decried Cameroon's conduct in the World Cup after losing to England. She wants the team punished. 

Isha Johansen, who sits on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee and is president of the women's soccer body, says she is "proud of our African female teams" in the tournament. However, she believes the game "reflected badly not only on African women's football but African football on the whole". She wants the team to face punishment. 

"It is an issue which will be addressed and dealt with at the appropriate levels of governance," she added on Monday.

The Cameroon team rebelled against three officiating decisions in a 3-0 loss to England in the round of 16 on Sunday. After the game, Cameroon manager Alain Djeumfa accused officials of a "miscarriage of justice."

Despite Johansen admonishing the team, the head of the FIFA advocated for their behaviour. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura tweeted that the Cameroon players "inspired many young girls,'' with "passionate and talented play on the field that made your fans proud and your country is proud of you.''

Cameroon rebelled the loss because they felt that 3 decisions were unjust, two of those involving the video assistant referee (VAR). In the first incident, a call by referee Quin Liang awarded England an indirect free kick for a back pass in the 13th minute, leading to Steph Houghton's opening goal. 

In the second incident, Ellen White gave England a 2-0 lead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time with a goal awarded after an offside call was correctly overruled by the VAR. Cameroon vehemently protested the call because they saw it replayed on the video screen. The Cameroon players then gathered together in a huddle and spoke to each other for a few minutes before finally taking the kickoff rather than immediately restarting play after the goal. 

In the third incident, at the start of the second half, Ajara Nchout's goal was denied because of another VAR review for offside. Cameroon's players came to the touchline and were visibly upset at the call, and play was temporarily halted again.  

Header Image Credit: 90Min