Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has quit his World Cup squad and is expected to play no further role in the tournament after being suspended by the country’s football federation.
A source close to the player told BBC Sport Africa that Onana left the team hotel and went to the airport on Tuesday, with Paris being his initial destination before heading to Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital. .
“I put all my effort and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there was no will on the other side,” Onana said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“However, I always respect and support the decisions of those charged with continuing the success of our team and our country.”
Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) took action after Indomitable Lions coach Rigobert Song said established first-choice Onana asked not to play his second Group G match, amid reports of a falling out between the two at the Qatar.
The 26-year-old Inter Milan goalkeeper has been replaced by Devis Epassy for Monday’s 3-3 draw against Serbia, and was not among the replacements.
Onana’s statement said he “was not allowed to be on the pitch to help Cameroon achieve the team’s goals”.
“I have always behaved in such a way as to lead the team to success in the right way,” he added.
On Monday night, Fecafoot released a statement saying Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana had been “temporarily suspended from the squad for disciplinary reasons”.
Onana has won 34 international caps and started every game for the Central Africans this year before being left out against Serbia.
Now led by Song’s former teammate Samuel Eto’o, Fecafoot have expressed “full support” for the 46-year-old coach as he implements a policy “aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity , complementarity and cohesion with the national team”.
There are suggestions that the coach and goalkeeper disagree over Onana’s regular exits from his penalty area.
Of his 61 touches in the 1-0 loss to Switzerland last Thursday, 26 came off the beaten path.
