Weeks after being ousted from the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) under the leadership of Samuel Eto’o, former Cameroonian international and president of the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Synafoc), Geremi Njitap, has received a prestigious accolade from the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro).
On Tuesday, in Bali, Indonesia, FIFPro honored Synafoc with the award for the Most Impactful and Inspiring Union Initiative of 2024. This recognition was granted for its groundbreaking project, the Salary Barometer, which advocates for regulation and transparency in professional footballers’ salaries in Cameroon. Geremi and his team outperformed similar initiatives from Greece and Portugal to earn this distinction.
In a statement, Geremi expressed his gratitude for the recognition, highlighting its significance in promoting the rights of Cameroonian footballers.
A Subtle Blow to Samuel Eto’o
This award carries special weight against the backdrop of the tense relationship between Geremi Njitap and Samuel Eto’o. Once allies during Eto’o’s rise to the presidency of Fecafoot, their relationship deteriorated significantly, culminating in a definitive split.
On November 15, the Fecafoot Executive Committee (Comex) withdrew Synafoc’s accreditation as a member, replacing Geremi’s union with the National Association of Cameroonian Footballers (Anfc), led by Lucien Metomo, an ally of Eto’o.
This decision, unanimously approved by the Comex, was seen as a calculated and abrupt sidelining of Geremi, who enjoyed strong support among players. The international recognition from FIFPro starkly contrasts Geremi’s innovative initiatives with Eto’o’s controversial management of Fecafoot.
A Project Dedicated to Players
The Salary Barometer launched by Synafoc aims to bring greater transparency to footballer compensation in Cameroon, addressing a sector often plagued by inequality and lack of regulation. The initiative has been hailed as a major step forward for player rights, especially in a context where local footballers frequently face challenging working conditions.
The award from FIFPro underscores not only the impact of this project but also the international significance of Geremi’s efforts, despite the obstacles he has faced domestically.
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