Fifa opens disciplinary case against Cameroon for players' conduct during loss to England

Ruling body investigates national team over alleged breaches relating to misconduct and offensive behaviour

epaselect epa07668699 Cameroon's players argue with referee Qin Iang of China during the round of 16 match between England and Cameroon at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in Valenciennes, France, 23 June 2019.  EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU
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Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings on Wednesday against Cameroon for its players' conduct during the team's loss to England in the Women's World Cup.

The team protested VAR decisions in the 3-0 loss to England on Sunday, twice delaying kickoff as they complained.

The players looked as if they might refuse to continue playing.

The protests began when video reviews on offside decisions allowed Ellen White to send England to a 2-0 lead before halftime, then denied Cameroon the goal that would have brought them within one after the break.

Ajara Nchout was sobbing on the sideline as she pleaded for her goal to stand.

Fifa, football's global ruling body, says its disciplinary committee opened a case against Cameroon over alleged breaches related to team misconduct and offensive behaviour.

The stance of the disciplinary division is in strong contrast to the view of Fatma Samoura, who runs the Fifa administration as the governing body's secretary general.

Ms Samoura tweeted that the Cameroon players "inspired many young girls", with "passionate and talented play on the field that made your fans proud and your country is proud of you".

But Isha Johansen, president of CAF's women's committee, said the match "reflected badly not only on African women's football, but African football on the whole".