Cameroon coach Winfried Schaefer has accused Fifa of giving African teams at the World Cup a raw deal.
Schaefer claimed that Fifa and Japan’s organising committee Jawoc had shown « flagrant favouritism » towards teams like Germany.
The African champions play Germany in a decisive Group E match on 11 June in Shizuoka, Japan.
Schaefer, a German national, raised the stakes for that fixture by charging that Fifa are bending the rules to suit their more illustrious opponents.
He fumed: « You don’t get the same treatment as the bigger, better-known teams. »
Song ready for Germany
As the home team against the Germans, Cameroon would normally get to chose their final training slot at the Shizuoka stadium the night before the match.
However, Schaefer said when they informed Fifa that they wanted to train at 1900 local time, they were told they would have to train half an hour later to accommodate Germany.
An incensed Schaefer said this incident was a prime example of Fifa and Jawoc not respecting the Cameroon team and African teams in general.
His views were echoed by defender Raymond Kalla who said the situation was totally unacceptable.
« Against Saudi Arabia we were the home team, so we got to chose first, » said Kalla.
« So why shouldn’t it be the same with Germany? Is it because Germany is more powerful and more respected? It’s unjust. »
Meanwhile, Kalla has confirmed that he has signed a five-year contract with German side Bochum.
This ends the lanky stopper’s long stay in the Spanish league where he was on the books of Extramadura.
Kalla will join his Cameroon skipper Rigobert Song of Cologne in the Bundesliga next season.
