FECAFOOT bows to Etoudi pressure, rescues Marc Brys and tries to shut down latest football crisis

A late-night communiqué signed by federation president Samuel Eto’o says FECAFOOT will “pursue the contractual relationship” with Brys and calls on all parties “to preserve a calm, constructive atmosphere.” The release blames the entire episode on unpaid salaries, chides the Ministry of Sports for denying knowledge of Brys’s initial resignation letter and scolds the coach for airing grievances on state television.

What the communiqué does not say — but the palace does

Behind the sober language lies an unusual intervention from Etoudi, the presidential compound. According to senior officials involved in what they call a “very high-level mediation,” the presidency rang both FECAFOOT’s headquarters and the Ministry of Sports on Tuesday, warning that another public fight could torpedo morale a month before the Lions resume 2026 World-Cup qualifiers. The message was blunt: find a compromise, fast.

Faced with direct instructions, Eto’o agreed to roll back FECAFOOT’s acceptance of the resignation; the ministry promised to settle Brys’s salary arrears; and Brys, contacted through his agent, withdrew his departure in writing. “This is a collective interest decision,” a presidency aide said. “We cannot afford more turbulence around the national team.”

Eto’o’s delicate climb-down

For the federation boss, the U-turn is a gamble. Eto’o had initially validated Brys’s exit on 22 July, seeing an opportunity to install a coach of his own choosing. Accepting the presidency’s request required swallowing that plan and explaining to fans why a trainer who quit in frustration is suddenly back in charge. Federation insiders say Eto’o did so for two reasons: he could not risk open war with the state over funding, and polls showed public fatigue with endless technical-staff shake-ups.

Brys warned: no more public spats

Sources close to the talks say Brys has been told in unmistakable terms that any further airing of disputes will trigger an irrevocable dismissal. “Loyalty and collaboration will be non-negotiable,” one negotiator said. The Belgian, whose methods had begun to win over senior players, is said to have accepted the conditions, emphasising he “only wants a clear working environment and timely pay.”

What comes next

• Salary settlement — The Ministry of Sports must clear outstanding wages within days to prove good faith.

• Joint roadmap — FECAFOOT and the ministry will draft a single chain-of-command document to avoid future clashes over who signs what.

• September qualifiers — Brys’s first test under new terms will be a two-match window that could decide Cameroon’s path to the next Africa Cup of Nations.

Why it matters

Cameroon’s national team has suffered three coaching crises in 18 months, each triggered by institutional rivalry between the state and FECAFOOT. This latest climb-down, dictated from the presidency, underlines how politicised football remains — and how quickly sporting decisions can become matters of national protocol.

For now, the Lions keep their coach, the presidency claims a diplomatic save, and FECAFOOT lives to fight another day; but the episode leaves an unmistakable lesson: in Cameroonian football, Etoudi still has the final whistle.