
Cameroon’s football community has been left stunned following an unprecedented act of violence during a playoff match on Monday, June 24, at the Fécafoot Technical Centre in Odza.
Referee Martin Bomba is under intense scrutiny after headbutting Isohsa captain Arrey Jefta during a confrontation in the fixture against Apejes de Mfou.
The shocking moment, captured on video and now widely circulated on social media, shows Bomba abandoning his official duties and physically assaulting the player.
Jefta’s visibly swollen face became an instant symbol of what critics are calling one of the most disgraceful acts in Cameroonian football history.
Eyewitnesses describe the match as tense even before the incident, with both teams under pressure amid the season’s closing playoff rounds.
What should have been a showcase of sporting discipline quickly spiralled into chaos when the referee, rather than maintaining order, resorted to violence.
Spectators and commentators alike expressed disbelief that a match official—armed with the authority of yellow and red cards—would resort to physical aggression.
“He turned from referee into executioner,” one fan remarked online, echoing the widespread sense of disbelief and outrage.
In response, the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (SYNAFOC) issued a strong statement condemning the act. “This is an act of barbarism,” said SYNAFOC Secretary General Daniel Ngos, who also called for a full investigation.
The union is demanding swift disciplinary action and structural reforms to address rising tensions and violence on the pitch.
This incident comes amid a broader wave of unrest in Cameroonian football, as end-of-season stakes continue to heighten emotions.
With videos of the altercation drawing attention beyond national borders, the scandal has not only embarrassed domestic football authorities but also raised urgent questions about officiating standards and professionalism.
Calls are now mounting for the Cameroon Football Federation (Fécafoot) to take decisive action, both to punish misconduct and to restore integrity to the game.