Cameroon stay under FIFA control while Iya Mohammed's trial continues

The mandate of the Normalisation Committee at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has been extended for a further six months. The decision of FIFA's Executive made on March 20 gives more time for the establishment of an electoral process and new elections, with the trial of the FECAFOOT's long-term president Iya Mohammed (pictured), on grounds of alleged financial impropriety, still continuing.

The Normalisation Committee, which has had the task of running the Federations affairs and adopting new electoral rules for the Federation was due to complete its work by March 20, but now has until 30 September 2015.

The background to the setting up of the Normalisation Committee on 22 July 2013 included disputes between FECAFOOT and the sports ministry, the arrest of Iya Mohammed, who led the Federation for 15 years, his re-election as President despite having been thrown into the notorious Kondengui Central Prison and then the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) invalidating changes to the FECAFOOT statutes since 2009 and declaring Mohammed's re-election null and void.

Iya Mohammed's trial on grounds of embezzlement in SODECOTON, the Cotton Development Company which he led for 29 years, continues with the defence scheduled to make submissions at the beginning of April.

Under Mohammed, the Cameroon won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics, two African Cup of Nations (2000 and 2002) and qualified for the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.

Despite his legal problems, Mohammed retains strong support within Cameroonian football and a stable solution to the problems of FECAFOOT may require a resolution of his court case.