FIFA is under pressure to censure its own No2 after she congratulated Cameroon for the disgraceful scenes that shamed the Women’s World Cup.
Senegalese Fatma Samoura ignored the chaos and near walk-off by the “Indomitable Lionesses” in their 3-0 last-16 defeat by England to praise their “inspirational” display.
It came as England coach Phil Neville said he was “utterly ashamed” of what he'd witnessed, adding: “If that was my players they would never play for England again.”
Neville revealed there had been clashes involving Cameroon supporters in the VIP area at the Stade du Hainaut and also incidents at the Valenciennes hotel the two teams were sharing.
On the pitch, Nikita Parris was clubbed to the ground by an elbow, Toni Duggan was spat at and skipper Steph Houghton is a major doubt for Thursday’s quarter-final clash with Norway after a horror stamp on her ankle in stoppage time.
Cameroon refused to play for three minutes after Ellen White’s second goal for England was allowed after a VAR review.
They then tried to walk off the pitch when a “goal” for them was chalked off for a marginal but correct VAR offside call.
Your passionate and talented play on the field has made your fans proud and your country is proud of you.
Samoura tweeted: “To my sisters the Lionesses. Your participation in the Women’s World Cup has inspirated many young girls in Cameroon.
“Your passionate and talented play on the field has made your fans proud and your country is proud of you.”
Cameroon coach Alain Djeumfa refused to condemn or even apologise for the behaviour of his side.
Djeumfa instead claimed they were the victims of a “miscarriage of justice” and accusing the Chinese referee of bias.
Fifa tried to play down Neville’s release of the VIP tear-up information, which appears to have meant guests in the section – who included FA chairman Greg Clarke – fleeing for their safety.
FA ACTION?
In a brief statement, Fifa said: “Following the match between England and Cameroon in Valenciennes, the post-match debrief highlighted that a number of Cameroon fans had moved to the seats behind the team benches during the match in order to create a ‘fan block’.
“This required management by stadium stewards who, in the interests of all spectators, moved other ticket holders into hospitality seating.
“Although there was some verbal exchange between Cameroon supporters and stewards, there has been no report of any physical confrontation.”
The FA is unlikely to take the matter further, preferring to concentrate on the task in hand in Le Havre on Thursday, as England seek to make it back to back appearances in the last four after their third place finish in Canada in 2015.
But Fifa has been pushed to give an official response to the behaviour and comments of the Cameroon side and if they will be taking any immediate disciplinary action.
The world body has also been asked to give a verdict on the performance of referee Qin Liang, who appeared to be determined not to provoke any further outbursts by the Cameroon players which might have seen her forced to abandon the game.
And it is also under pressure to respond to Samoura’s incendiary comments, which will be seen as a direct violation of Fifa’s policies over “fair play”.
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