The global footballers’ union, FIFPRO, has thrown its weight in support of former Cameroon international Geremi Njitap, days after the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) imposed a five-year ban on the ex-Chelsea star for alleged misconduct.

In a statement dated 21 June 2025, FIFPRO declared it “stands in full support of Geremi Njitap, president of the Cameroon players union SYNAFOC and member of FIFPRO’s global board,” as well as SYNAFOC General Secretary Daniel Blaise Ngos, who was also sanctioned by FECAFOOT with a two-year ban and a fine of $8,250.

FECAFOOT’s sanctions stem from a reported altercation involving Geremi during Cameroon’s match against Gambia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

The former midfielder allegedly clashed with a member of federation president Samuel Eto’o’s team and was forcibly removed by security on orders from FECAFOOT officials.

Geremi was later found guilty by the federation’s ethics committee of violating behaviour codes and was handed a five-year suspension and a $16,500 fine.

In response, FIFPRO expressed deep concern over what it sees as an emerging pattern of abuse within some African football associations.

“FIFPRO is concerned that this case is part of a wider trend where football authorities misuse internal disciplinary structures to target player unions and their leaders,” the statement read.

“This undermines the rights of players to organise independently and weakens accountability in the sport.”

The world union further criticised FECAFOOT’s decision to replace SYNAFOC Cameroon’s long-recognised player union with a newly formed body “that does not reflect the voice or interests of the country’s players.”

FIFPRO has now called on world football’s governing bodies to intervene.

“We call on FIFA and CAF to closely examine the situation in Cameroon and take appropriate steps to uphold governance standards, protect the rights of players, and ensure that union leaders are not subject to politically motivated retaliation.”

The organisation, which represents more than 70,000 professional footballers through over 72 national player unions globally, reaffirmed its commitment to “defending their rights and supporting their legitimate representatives.”

Geremi is said to be preparing an appeal and may take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to overturn or reduce the sanctions.