Referees demand better working conditions

Referees have since last weekend, denounced the ill treatment they receive, the lack of a status and the insecurity involved in the way they operate.

They have been "in the street" since the end of last week to protest against their working conditions. They are also outraged against the insecurity they face in and outside of the play areas. According to some of them, it is not clear whether the football national championship, League 1 and 2, will be effective this weekend.

"Lack of consideration, contempt and objectification" are mostly practiced by officials in the exercise of their functions according to Gilbert Yakam, the president of the Cameroon Association of referees. The Secretary General of the association, Lambert Yene, reported 15 cases of violence on some of their members since the start of the season in February.

According to statistics collected, the West, Northwest and Adamoua regions recorded the most cases of violence. The referees stated that they are often assaulted and harassed by the angry public. The most recent and shocking case is that of Sylvain Belle Biala who received a shot last May, when Aigle de la Menoua was playing against Botafogo (Ligue 2).

In Bafang, at the same time, a referee had been kidnapped, and threatened by the population, lamented Gilbert Yakam. And in these areas, it is sometimes in plantations that officials are "detaineed". Sylvestre Ekodo Mvondo, supporter of Cosmos du Mbam thinks that such violence emerges out of passion for club, and fanaticism and can therefore be justified.

"Fans even try to attack our families without anyone's intervention," a referee said regrettably. Evehe Divine official referee at Fecafoot, told CT that "in Cameroon, refereeing is not a profession. So, they have no salary. The Federation provides just compensation to each of the officials who are called to have a primary activity," he said. However, the selection of the latter to officiate at Championship meetings is rigorous.

Between 2010 and 2011, 48 referees had been sent out of the game for their inability to pass the tests and because of technical shortcomings.

In Cameroon, there is no status for them. Faced with this, they are offended and have decided to rise up against what they call "abandonment". On 11 August, at a general meeting, they hope to change things.