A possible FIFA sanction as Cameroon’s president orders coach replacement?

Ripples Nigeria | The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon may face the wrath of FIFA after the country's president interjected himself into football matters.

Any member association must be independent and free of political intervention, according to FIFA statutes.

Former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song has been designated head coach of the senior national men's team by the Cameroonian president, through his Minister of Sports Narcisse Mouelle Kombi. Cameroon, according to a statement, needs "a new breath."

"On extremely high orders from the President of the Republic, Mr. Antonio Conceicao, the coach of the men's national football team, has been replaced by Rigobert Song," Kombi stated.

Cameroon came 3rd place in the AFCON cup on penalties after Burkina Faso squandered a three-goal advantage.

"The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) is urged to take the necessary steps to ensure that these stringent regulations are implemented quickly and harmoniously."

Toni Conceicao, who led the Indomitable Lions to a third-place result at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by the country, would be replaced by Song.

Conceicao also led Cameroon to the World Cup qualification play-offs, where they will face Algeria in a two-legged encounter for a berth in Qatar 2022 in March.

Rigobert Song, who most recently served as the coach of Cameroon's Under-21 team, is the country's most capped player, having appeared in 137 games for the senior team.