Yaoundé July 24, 2025 — Tensions between Cameroon’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education escalated further this week, as FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o Fils issued a detailed and strongly worded letter to the Minister of Sports in response to the controversy surrounding the resignation of Marc Brys, former head coach of the Indomitable Lions.
At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over whether Brys, appointed in April 2024 under a contract signed solely with the Ministry of Sports, officially resigned from his post and if so, under what conditions.
A communiqué released by the Ministry on July 23 described reports of Brys’ resignation as “manipulative” and “unfounded,” claiming that no official resignation had been received and that the coach himself had denied stepping down.
However, Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o fired back in a formal letter dated July 24, 2025, challenging what he called “specious allegations” and clarifying FECAFOOT’s position in uncertain terms.
“The Cameroon Football Federation was never associated with the negotiation or signature of Mr. Marc Brys’ contract,” Eto’o wrote. “FECAFOOT never received a copy of said contract and was unaware of the payment terms involved. It could not have fabricated a ‘manipulation’ based on irregularities it was not privy to.”
Eto’o also highlighted a crucial timeline inconsistency. The Ministry claimed all salary arrears had been cleared on July 18, but Brys’ signed resignation letter, physically delivered to FECAFOOT via international courier, was dated July 21, three days later.
“This incoherence undermines the argument that the resignation was unfounded,” Eto’o said, adding that the presence of delayed payments acknowledged by the Ministry lent credibility to Brys’ move.
The FECAFOOT president went further, detailing what he described as Brys’ declining cooperation in recent months. He cited the coach’s refusal to submit the preliminary squad list for the September international fixtures, a task instead performed by fitness coach François Manouvrier, as evidence of Brys distancing himself from his role.
Moreover, Samuel Eto’o disclosed that FECAFOOT had received not just the resignation letter, but also a partial copy of Brys’ contract and confidential ministry correspondence related to the technical staff's salaries. He referenced Article 7(4) of the contract, which grants Brys and his staff full compensation if they resign due to unpaid wages lasting over 60 days.
“It seems perfectly logical, in light of delayed salary payments, that Mr. Brys would activate such a clause, surprisingly generous, negotiated in his contract,” Samuel Eto’o noted.
The FECAFOOT president also took issue with claims that Brys’ email had been hacked, noting that the resignation was received physically via registered mail, not electronically.
Ending on a firm yet diplomatic note, the FECAFOOT President emphasized the need for integrity and truth in Cameroonian football administration.
“Neither the proud history of the Indomitable Lions nor the country’s international reputation should be tarnished by such an unacceptable controversy,” he concluded. “We hope the truth will one day emerge, in respect of the Cameroonian people.”
The standoff adds to a growing rift between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports, which has struggled to define its boundaries in the shared management of Cameroon’s national football teams.
Bryce’s’ abrupt departure now leaves the Indomitable Lions in limbo ahead of critical World Cup qualifiers.
As Cameroonians await clarity, one thing is evident: the federation, under Eto’o’s leadership, is determined not to be sidelined or scapegoated.
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