Ligue 1 Clubs want their World Cup bonus share

Football clubs have expressed they want to boycott the recovery period in favour of demanding 30 per cent of the financial impact of the World Cup as well as the rest of the state subsidy.

The presidents of elite clubs will meet next Friday in Yaoundé within the framework of their association to discuss the pressing issue which stretches as far as the amateur clubs too.

Before the start of the World Cup, Tombi A Roko, the Secretary General of the Fécafoot, had issued a memorandum suspending the running of all the championships until the end of Brazil 2014.

This was nothing out of the ordinary and both Leagues 1 and 2 were expected to resume play next Saturday and Sunday.

But the Professional Football League of Cameroon (LFPC) has deliberately rescheduled the resumption of the two championships for August 9 and 10 due to the requirement of 260 million representing the rest of the state subsidy, which according to the league 2 president would be used to pay players’ salaries.

Emile Onambele Zibi, president of the Association of elites of Cameroon Clubs (ACEC), said: "The meeting we have on Friday is crucial. But I must tell you that clubs are not happy and nothing more should be done without them."

Céline Eko, Chair of the Board of Directors of Canon Yaoundé, indicated when the players demanded wages during the go phase it should have been paid by the state.

"I pay different premiums. Player’s salaries do not concern me. I expect that the state subsidy is paid to clubs and I shall put back wages to players," she stated.

The situation is the same in most clubs within the LFPC where players are without wages for several months.

At the same time, clubs are demanding 30 per cent of the financial benefits from the participation of the Indomitable Lions to the 2014 World Cup, a threat that also extends to the Cup of Cameroon football.

CAMTEL

They threaten not to play the 32nd final of the Cup of Cameroon, whose meetings were scheduled next weekend, for "lack of money".

They judge this rather expensive competition and both Yong Sport Academy Bamenda, the most recent cup winner, and Canon Yaoundé, the loser, stand untied.

It comes as no surprise considering the two teams have never received the premiums due to them, i.e. 10 million CFA francs for the winner and five million for the loser.

According to our sources, it was down to the sponsor of 2013 Cup final to pay, which was CAMTEL on this occasion. During the trophy presentation of the man of the match David Nkotto Arises, Director General of CAMTEL, promised to personally deliver the cheques to the clubs but they are still waiting.