Cameroon’s preparations for the UNIFFAC U17 tournament have raised questions over compliance with a national decree governing the country’s teams.
The competition serves as a qualifier for the CAN U17, and 23 players have been called up for a training camp currently taking place with the Cameroon national team.
However, an analysis of a 2014 decree setting out the rules for national selections suggests the camp may conflict with existing legislation.
Article 7, paragraph 3 of the decree states that “only players registered in competitions organised by FECAFOOT may be selected” for the U15 and U17 national teams.
The current squad appears not to meet that requirement, as all of the selected players are based outside Cameroon. They are playing in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy or elsewhere.
The decree has therefore prompted debate over the legal basis for the ongoing U17 camp and the eligibility of the players involved.