Cameroon backs Aboubakar and Billong, accused of match-fixing in Turkey
Cameroonians Vincent Aboubakar (left) and Jean-Claude Billong.
© Photos Getty - Montage RFI
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
4 min
The Cameroonian Football Federation and the national team coach Toni Conceiçao rushed to the aid of Vincent Aboubakar and Jean-Claude Billong.
The first, ex-striker from Besiktas, would have asked the second, defender at Hatayspor, to ease off during a large victory (7-0) in the Championship, on May 1, in exchange for a place in the selection.
A result which helped Besiktas to finish first in Super Lig in front of Galatasaray, the club which would be at the origin of these accusations.
Publicity
Read more
Beaten 3-0 by Italy then 2-0 by Wales, the Turkish national team got off to a very bad start in the European Nations Championship (Euro 2021).
These poor results at Euro 2021 now seem to be of much greater concern to the Turkish media than the Aboubakar-Billong affair.
At the end of May, the Galatasaray club allegedly accused the two Cameroonians of having reached an agreement before a crucial meeting in the Turkish Championship (Super Lig) won 7-0 by Besiktas against Hatayspor.
Aboubakar, ex-Besiktas striker since left for Saudi Arabia, is said to have asked the defender of Hatayspor to ease off in exchange for a call-up for the national team.
Disappointing during this meeting, Billong was taken out at the break, while his team were down 5-0.
As for the training of Aboubakar, she then became national champion, with the goal difference.
Billong having received his first summons to the Indomitable Lions a few days later, it did not take more to ignite the Turkish press.
Contacted by rfi.fr, the Turkish Federation (TFF) and the two teams concerned did not respond to the subject of the opening of a possible investigation.
The sadness of Jean-Claude Billong
These accusations, however, eventually made the Cameroon Football Federation (Fécafoot) and Lions coach Toni Conceiçao react.
"
I disavow the attempt to involve my players in this affair
," protested the Portuguese technician on Twitter.
They are two very good boys.
The coach chooses the Indomitable Lions players, the only criterion is merit.
This will be the case as long as I am at the head of this great team!
"
A few hours later, Fécafoot followed suit. "
The two Cameroonian players are victims of ridiculous innuendos
," the body said in a statement released on June 16.
Fécafoot is outraged by the weakness, ease and emptiness of the accusations thus leveled against these players, which are not based on any evidence
”.
On May 28, Jean-Claude Billong made a point of defending himself on his Instagram page: “
I am extremely sad about the news from Turkey. I have had a wonderful season at Hatayspor which culminated with a club spot in the top 6 for their return to Super Lig, as well as my official call to the Cameroon national team. I would like it to be absolutely clear that I have never encouraged, engaged or participated in any type of fixing activity. […] I would also like to make it clear that my invitation to the national team was made noticeably before the match in question.
According to Cameroonian media, the player is thinking of counter-attacking on the legal ground.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Soccer
Cameroon
Turkey
Sports