Players of the Cameroon National team have asked FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o to donate their bonuses for qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages to be donated to the victims of last Monday’s deadly stampede at the Olembe Stadium.
Eight supporters were killed and a further 38 were injured, whilst seven were seriously injured in a crash outside the stadium’s south entrance ahead of Cameroon’s round-of-16 win over Comoros.
In a bid to show solidarity to the victims, the Indomitable Lions have requested their bonuses be given to victims of the Stadium disaster.
“The Indomitable Lions asked the FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o that their bonus of 50,000,000 CFA [$85,585.63 USD, £63,653.93 GBP] for their qualification to the last 16 at the AFCON be given to the victims of the stampede that took place at Olembe on the 24 January,” team spokesman Serge Leopold Guiffo told ESPN.
“The request was made after their quarterfinal match against The Gambia in Douala [on Saturday 29 January] and of course Eto’o agreed, it’s up to the players what they do with their money.” – team spokesman further added.
Each Cameroon player receives $85,000 (£63,000) for reaching the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Cameroon dedicated Saturday’s 2-0 quarterfinal win over the Gambia to the victims of the disaster and will now return to Olembe Stadium to face Egypt in a semifinal match on Thursday.