England vs Cameroon: Alain Djeumfa claims ‘miscarriage of justice’ after Women’s World Cup VAR chaos

Cameroon’s head coach Alain Djeumfa has insisted that his side were the victims of a “miscarriage of justice” amid VAR controversy in their Women’s World Cup defeat to England.

Djeumfa denied suggestions that his players ‘stopped playing’ at any point due to their frustrations with the officiating, despite their angry on-pitch protests.

Cameroon were twice incensed by the technology during their acrimonious 3-0 defeat in Valenciennes, firstly when Ellen White converted England’s second goal.

White was initially flagged offside, only for the decision to be overturned, and an enraged Cameroon delayed the restart of play to argue their case with referee Liang Qin.

And there was further outrage at the start of the second half, when Cameroon forward Ajara Nchout saw a goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal yet correct offside.

At half time, reports emerged of Cameroonian players crying in the tunnel in reaction to White’s goal, as did claims that they felt they were victims of racist treatment by the officials. 

Djeumfa played down the suggestions of racism, but stood firm in his view that the officials’ decisions were wrong.  ”Occasionally the referee makes mistakes, but the referee made a lot of mistakes tonight,” he said.

When asked why his players had apparently refused to restart play after White’s goal, the Cameroon head coach rejected the premise of the question.

“I think that is wrong. Excuse me, I think that is your feeling,” he said. “The players never stopped and refused to play. 

“I think my players were examples and occasionally, when you are in this state of shock, you can lose your cool. 

“I don’t think the players ever really refused and I think they showed professionalism and I take my hats off to them for that.”

Djeumfa did, however, admit that he came close to ordering his players off the pitch.

“I think we need to remain as teachers,” he said. “We might have had the moment to walk off but thanks to God I was able to remain calm. 

“I know what I am like a person but I was able to keep my cool and ultimately there was a lot of passion out there, but I have thank god for keeping me calm.”