For decades, FIFA, supposedly the impartial regulatory body of world football, has shown blatant and systematic disregard for African nations during international competitions. Such bias can no longer be tolerated, and it is high time these discriminatory practices, which tarnish the very spirit of football—a sport meant to unite people and offer fair competition—are denounced.
Outrage is at its peak within African football. Once again, FIFA displays its flagrant disrespect and disdain towards African nations on the global stage. This injustice is not new. The examples are numerous, but what transpired during the U-20 World Cup, with Cameroon in the spotlight, is yet another illustration of FIFA’s arrogance and its biased system.
During this latest U-20 World Cup, Cameroon suffered scandalous refereeing decisions, favoring opposing teams at the expense of sporting fairness. Two matches, in particular, highlighted these blatant inequalities: Cameroon vs. Colombia and Cameroon vs. Brazil. In the first match against Colombia, a clear handball in the Colombian penalty area was completely ignored by the referee, depriving Cameroon of a penalty that could have changed the course of the game. Yet in similar cases involving European or South American teams, the VAR is quickly called upon, and decisions are routinely reviewed.
The second affront occurred against Brazil, where a dubious penalty was awarded to the Brazilians without sufficient justification. While refereeing seems rigid and inflexible when it comes to African teams, it suddenly becomes “flexible” when dealing with more influential football nations. This disparity is shocking and unacceptable.
But that is not all. FIFA has not only refused to deliver justice on the pitch. It has also targeted those who dare to expose this corrupt and unfair system. Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and one of the most respected figures in African football, has paid the price. Following his criticism of the injustices Cameroon faced during these matches, Eto’o was suspended for six months—a disproportionate and unjustified sanction.
The official reason for this suspension remains vague and unclear. FIFA authorities cite “inappropriate remarks,” when in reality, Eto’o merely said out loud what everyone else was thinking. Why is FIFA so determined to silence African voices that rise against manifestly unjust decisions? Why is Samuel Eto’o, who has always defended the interests of African football with dignity and passion, being punished for standing up for fairness?
This suspension is nothing short of an act of repression aimed at silencing any form of rebellion against the established order imposed by FIFA—an order where African nations are constantly placed in a position of inferiority. Arbitrary decisions have become the norm when it comes to handling African football affairs. Refereeing errors pile up during major global competitions, yet they never seem to be corrected when African teams are affected.
African football, despite being rich in talent and passion, is systematically marginalized by an institution that prefers to protect the interests of its elites at the expense of sporting justice. The continent deserves better. Africa deserves its players, coaches, and leaders to be treated with the same respect as those from other continents. It is time for FIFA to be held accountable, for equality to be restored, and for excessive sanctions like the one imposed on Samuel Eto’o to stop silencing voices that demand justice.
Football is a universal sport. Its rules must be the same for everyone. Africa has suffered from this blatant injustice for too long, and the situation must change urgently. It is time to break the vicious cycle of inequality that hinders the development of African football and undermines the dignity of African nations.
It is unacceptable that to this day, African nations continue to endure such injustices without consequences for those responsible. FIFA must stop protecting the interests of established powers and offer every nation a fair chance, regardless of its origin. Africa does not demand special treatment, only equality and justice. As long as these conditions are not met, FIFA’s credibility and that of global football will be tarnished by suspicions of manipulation and favoritism.
Enough with the arrogance, enough with biased decisions. Africa deserves better, and so does football. It is time for FIFA to reassess its practices and demonstrate a genuine commitment to fairness. For if this injustice continues, the entire world of football will be affected.
