Cameroon To Face Possible Disciplinary Action After England Incident – TheNigerialawyer

Cameroon are facing an inquiry and potential disciplinary action
from FIFA and CAF (African Football Confederation), following a
series of incidents which marred their 3-0 defeat to England in the
Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Cameroon players furiously protested refereeing decisions and
twice delayed the round-of-16 tie while appearing to consider
leaving the contest against Phil Neville’s side.

Augustine Ejangue spat on the arm of Toni Duggan during the
first half, Nikita Parris was elbowed in the fourth minute of the
game by Yvonne Leuko, and Cameroon’s players were incensed when
Ellen White’s fourth goal of the tournament was allowed to stand
prior to the interval.

Alexandra Takounda Engolo also escaped with a yellow card,
despite an on-pitch VAR review, for a late challenge on Steph
Houghton in second-half stoppage time.

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.

“Whilst 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,” said 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 added in a statement.

Cameroon forward Ajara Nchout hit out at the referee’s
performance during England’s win in Valenciennes after the
26-year-old’s 48th-minute goal was disallowed for offside, reducing
her to tears.

She told Sky Sports News: “Yesterday we were so angry because
the referee was not so good.

“We were angry but afterwards we said ‘no, we need to play and
finish our job later’.

“Of course it was difficult for everyone… we try our best, now
we will go back home and work better to come back next time.

“We accept the decisions because it’s football.”

Meanwhile, England manager Neville heavily criticised the
behaviour of Cameroon, saying he was “utterly ashamed at the
behaviour of the opposition”.

Gallagher: Referee not to blame
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher spoke out in defence
of referee Qin Liang, who has also come in for criticism, in an
interview with Sky Sports News.

He said: “The referee has the VAR there, the players were
explained about it before the competition.

“The two decisions they talk about, for the second England goal
Nikita Parris is offside but that’s not an offence – when Ellen
White scored, she’s quite clearly onside, there’s no doubt about
that.

“The goal disallowed for Cameroon, you feel some sympathy.
Before VAR, that wouldn’t have been spotted. But I’m positive it’s
a very tight, difficult call. VAR has no tolerance level. The
players know that, and when you see the lines across the pitch,
it’s quite clear the Cameroon player is just offside. Only just,
but you either are or you aren’t.

“The referee has made two absolutely correct decisions. I don’t
see how she can be blamed in any way.

“The players weren’t out of control. They were angry and upset
but they have to continue playing or the game has to be abandoned.
I’ve seen an article saying people should intervene and do this and
that, but the referee really is in a very bad position at that
point because she wants the game to continue.

“You don’t want to abandon the game – that’s the last resort –
so you have to try to reason with the players and fortunately they
came to their senses on both occasions.”

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