A football scandal shocked Cameroon this week as Victoria United’s president, Valentin Kwain, allegedly abducted and tortured his own goalkeeper, Eric Parfait Djomeni, in a brutal bid to squeeze out a confession over match-fixing accusations.
Kwain reportedly accused the 19-year-old shot-stopper of fixing two championship matches after placing bets on a betting platform. Both parties also agreed not to take the matter to court. A compromise that aims to preserve the interests of each party and avoid a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle.
Djomeni denies these accusations.
It all began when police found no evidence to back those claims, Kwain took matters into his own hands, and ordered the player to be kidnapped. The young football player was held hostage for three days in an undisclosed location as Kwain sought to force him into admitting wrongdoing.
The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Syncafoc) has rallied behind the goalkeeper.
“Justice for Eric Parfait Djomeni! The young goalkeeper of Victoria United was kidnapped, held hostage, and tortured by the infamous president of his club, Valentin Kwain. Eric, we stand with you!” Synafoc communications director, Marcel Itiga Itiga, said in a statement.
Africa has known several episodes of match-fixing scandals in recent history, dragging both players and officials.
Back in 2018, chaos erupted after a match-fixing scandal orchestrated by a well-organized syndicate with its dirty fingers in everything from Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to club matches. Players were paid to deliberately drag their feet or make sure their teams either lose or draw, depending on the bet.
But it wasn’t just the players, referees were also on the take, making dodgy decisions, awarding undeserved penalties or cards – all in line with bets placed.
CAF responded by banning players for life, booting referees from the game, and slapping heavy fines and point deductions on clubs.
