Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has suspended four referees and a match inspector following contentious refereeing decisions during a game in the country’s flagship football tournament, the MTN Elite One Championship.

The decision follows concerns over officiating decisions described by the federation as “manifestly questionable” and suspected of having influenced the outcome of the game.

In a statement, FECAFOOT said the match, which was played on the opening day of the championship between Victoria United and PWD of Bamenda, was “marred by clearly questionable refereeing decisions”.

The governing body indicated that the measures were taken in response to suspicions of corruption raised after the match, with the actions of the referees and the inspector now subject to formal examination.

The federation also announced the opening of a separate administrative inquiry into another fixture from the same round, the meeting between Dynamo Douala and AS Fortuna. According to FECAFOOT, this investigation has been launched because of “serious suspicions of match-fixing”.

The relevant committee has been instructed to carry out a full review of the circumstances surrounding the game and to propose sanctions if breaches of regulations are confirmed.

Both matches, which formed part of the first day of the MTN Elite One season, have become focal points of controversy.

The federation also announced the opening of a separate administrative inquiry into another fixture from the same round – the meeting between Dynamo Douala and AS Fortuna. According to FECAFOOT, this investigation has been launched because of “serious suspicions of match-fixing”.

The relevant committee has been instructed to carry out a full review of the circumstances surrounding the game and to propose sanctions if breaches of regulations are confirmed.

Both matches, which formed part of the first day of the MTN Elite One season, have become focal points of controversy.

The match, hosted by Victoria United on Sunday, saw four yellow cards shown to PWD Bamenda, two PWD goals disallowed and three penalties awarded to Victoria United.

“The refereeing quartet and the match inspector who officiated during the said match have been provisionally suspended from all activity pending the conclusion of the ongoing disciplinary procedures,” FECAFOOT said in the statement on Monday night.

Allegations of irregularities have revived long-standing concerns about integrity within Cameroonian domestic football and the effectiveness of mechanisms designed to protect fair competition. FECAFOOT has faced repeated criticism in recent years over transparency and the perceived lack of firmness in dealing with corruption-related cases.

The latest announcements suggest a determination by the federation to respond more decisively when suspicions arise, particularly at the start of a new season.

Under the leadership of its president, Samuel Eto’o, FECAFOOT has pledged to restore credibility to the national game.

The suspensions and inquiries are being presented as part of broader efforts to address malpractice and reinforce confidence in refereeing and competition management. While the investigations are ongoing, no conclusions have yet been drawn and no individuals have been found guilty of wrongdoing.

FECAFOOT has stressed that disciplinary decisions will be taken only after the relevant procedures have been completed, in line with existing rules.

For now, the controversies have placed the spotlight firmly on the federation’s handling of integrity issues, with the outcomes of the investigations expected to shape perceptions of Cameroonian football in the weeks ahead.

FECAFOOT said it was also investigating “serious suspicions of match-fixing” in the Dynamo Douala vs AS Fortuna match, played on the same day.

Match-fixing in Cameroonian football has come under the spotlight in recent times, with stakeholders alarmed by the increasing cases of alleged manipulation of results in the country’s MTN Elite One Championship and lower tiers.

“FECAFOOT reaffirms its unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency in competitions and fair play-values essential to the development of national football. It reiterates that only the outcome on the pitch should be decided,” the statement said.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report