FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura Congratulates Cameroon Despite Controversial Loss To England

Most of the football world wasn't too happy with Cameroon Women's antics during the World Cup on Sunday, as they lost to England, but FIFA's number two Fatma Samoura's praised them.

Phil Neville's England Women's team reached the World Cup quarter finals with a 3-0 win over Cameroon on Sunday but the match will be best remembered for all its controversy.

Cameroon were annoyed at England's second goal, given by VAR after the assistant gave it offside, further incensed by their own goal being chalked off by the video officials and the match ended in chaos after a particularly bad challenge on England captain Steph Houghton.

Despite the large outcry after the incidents, that included two near walk outs and spitting, FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura paid tribute to Cameroon on Twitter, saying, "To my sisters the Lionesses. Your participation in the Women's World Cup has inspired 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."

Fans didn't agree with the Senegalese official:

England boss Neville certainly didn't agree with the FIFA second in command. In his post match interview the former Manchester United defender was highly critical of his side's opposition, saying, "That wasn't a World Cup last-16 tie in terms of behaviour that I want to see from footballers. I am completely and utterly ashamed of the opposition.

"If that was my team - and it will never be any of my players - they would never play for England again.

"At times, we probably didn't know whether the game would continue. It didn't feel like football.

"This is going out worldwide. I didn't enjoy it, the players didn't enjoy it. My players kept their concentration fantastically, but those images are going out worldwide about how to act, the young girls playing all over the world that are seeing that behaviour. For me, it's not right."

Referee Qin Liang didn't have the best game and failed to get to grips with controlling the players however Cameroon could also count themselves a little lucky.

They might have had three players sent off with the spitting incident, foul on Houghton and elbow to Nikita Parris in the first half.

Topics: Football News, Cameroon, Phil Neville, FIFA, England, Women's World Cup, World Cup, France

Ryan Sidle

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