Cameroon risks query and possible disciplinary action from the world football governing body, FIFA after the incidents in their 3-0 defeat by England in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
Concise News reports that Cameroon players furiously protested refereeing decisions and twice delayed the game while appearing to consider leaving the pitch.
The ill-tempered match also included an incident where Cameroon defender Augustine Ejangue spat on the arm of England forward Toni Duggan.
FIFA’s disciplinary body is likely to look, as part of its routine reviews of matches, at some of the incidents while Isha Johansen, the chair of the women’s football committee for the African Football Confederation (CAF) said her body will be opening an inquiry.
“While remaining proud of our African teams that participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, yesterday’s match between England and Cameroon reflected badly, not only on African women’s football but African football on the whole,” says Johansen, who is also president of the Sierra Leone Football Association.
“It is an issue which will be addressed and dealt with at the appropriate levels of governance,” she adds in a statement.
England manager Phil Neville has heavily criticised the behaviour of his side’s opponents.
“I am completely and utterly ashamed of the opposition,” says the former Manchester United player.
“If that was my team – and it will never be any of my players – they would never play for England again. Those images are going out worldwide about how to act, the young girls playing all over the world that are seeing that behaviour. For me, it’s not right,” he adds.
Cameroon coach, Alain Djeumfa blamed the referee for his side’s loss, calling the 3-0 defeat a “miscarriage of justice”.
Africa has no representative left at the world cup following the exit of Nigeria and Cameroon in the round of 16.
