'Players are being forced into survival mode': SYNAFOC calls for salary talks in Cameroon

• Cameroon’s player union says new minimum salaries do not provide professional footballers with a decent standard of living
• Players in MTN Elite Two and the women’s Guinness Super League would receive a minimum monthly salary of CFA 75,000 (EUR 114)
• SYNAFOC is calling for collective negotiations and stronger measures to tackle late payment and non-payment

Cameroon’s player union SYNAFOC has called for urgent talks with the country’s football federation over minimum salaries that it says would leave professional footballers struggling to meet their basic living costs.

The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has reportedly set the minimum monthly salary for the 2026/27 season at CFA 200,000 (EUR 305) for MTN Elite One players and FCFA 75,000 (EUR 114) for footballers in MTN Elite Two and the women’s Guinness Super League.

SYNAFOC says the figures were introduced without consultation with the union and has asked FECAFOOT to suspend the measures while meaningful discussions take place.

“The current minimum salary is entirely incompatible with the dignity and status of a professional footballer,” said Geremie Njitap, SYNAFOC President and a former player with the likes of Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Chelsea. “Players are unable to cover even their most basic daily obligations and living needs.”

“Virtually nothing left” after basic living costs

SYNAFOC warned that the lowest minimum salary would not allow players to meet the demands of life as professional athletes, particularly those supporting families.

“In practical terms CFA 75,000 a month is insufficient to sustain a single individual, let alone a professional athlete who must also support a family,” said Geremie.

“After paying for basic housing and daily food, a player is left with virtually nothing for specialised nutrition, transport to training, medical care or family emergencies.

“It forces them into survival mode, making it impossible to maintain the physical and mental wellbeing required for professional football.”

The union believes minimum salaries should be determined through collective negotiations that consider the cost of living, inflation, clubs’ financial circumstances and international standards for professional athletes.

“A fair and sustainable minimum salary must guarantee a decent standard of living and allow players to focus fully on their careers without financial distress,” Geremie said.

“These figures should not be imposed unilaterally by the federation. They must be calculated through transparent collective bargaining.”

Salary non-payment remains a structural problem

The dispute comes amid longstanding concerns about late payment and non-payment in Cameroonian football. In 2024, SYNAFOC launched a campaign calling on clubs to respect player contracts and pay salaries on time.

“When clubs fail to pay salaries on time – or do not pay them at all – it can place families under severe financial pressure and strip players of their peace of mind,” said Geremie.

“Not only does this systemic instability damage player morale, but it can also leave players vulnerable to negative external influences, including match-fixing.”

For the past three years, SYNAFOC has operated a monthly salary barometer monitoring payments across MTN Elite One, MTN Elite Two and the Guinness Super League.

The union is now calling for a joint monitoring committee comprising representatives of FECAFOOT, SYNAFOC and Cameroonian clubs. It also wants wages to be traceable through direct bank transfers and salary compliance to form part of club licensing requirements.

Clubs that fail to demonstrate full and timely payment should face sporting and administrative sanctions, the union says, including transfer bans, points deductions or disqualification from competitions.

SYNAFOC calls for formal consultation process

The union has written formally to the FECAFOOT General Secretary requesting the immediate opening of talks and the creation of a permanent consultation protocol. The union says it has sent two letters within three weeks without receiving a response.

“If FECAFOOT continues to refuse to engage in dialogue, SYNAFOC reserves the right to take all necessary institutional and trade union action to defend its members’ rights, including referring the matter to the relevant bodies within FIFPRO and FIFA,” Geremie said.