Dr. Jean Crépin Nyamsi Soter, a vocal supporter of FECAFOOT revealed in an interview with Equinoxe Television that legal representatives acting on behalf of him and other brand ambassadors have issued a formal notice to the Swiss company, citing its failure to honor the terms of their agreements.
The partnership between the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT and Swiss sportswear brand Fourteen is facing fresh scrutiny, following growing allegations of a breach of contract. Just months after the deal was announced with much fanfare, tensions are escalating behind the scenes. At the heart of the unfolding controversy is Dr. Jean Crépin Nyamsi Soter, a vocal supporter of FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o and a prominent ambassador of the Fourteen brand.
Nyamsi revealed in an interview with Equinoxe Television that legal representatives acting on behalf of him and other brand ambassadors have issued a formal notice to the Swiss company, citing its failure to honor the terms of their agreements. “The formal notice is a first step,” Nyamsi explained. “We still hope to find a peaceful resolution. But if the company continues to ignore its obligations, we will take the matter to court.” In a letter addressed to his fellow ambassadors of the brand, Nyamsi accused Fourteen of abandoning its contractual responsibilities and remaining silent despite efforts to understand its financial troubles.
He emphasized that the legal action was not retaliatory but a necessary step to protect their professional integrity and rights. “Since the signing of our contracts with Fourteen, official kit supplier of the Indomitable Lions, the manufacturer has failed to uphold the terms of our agreement,” the letter reads. “Despite efforts to understand the financial difficulties the company may be facing, it has remained unresponsive.” The news has cast a cloud over what was initially perceived as a bold and forward-looking move by FECAFOOT. The partnership, officially unveiled on February 4, 2025, was the result of a competitive tender process that saw Fourteen emerge as the preferred choice over five other international brands.
The deal followed the controversial termination of FECAFOOT’s previous contract with U.S.-based One All Sports, whose three-year deal was cut short in August 2024 over claims of unfulfilled commitments. At the time of signing, FECAFOOT expressed strong confidence in Fourteen’s “credibility and track record,” describing the brand as an innovative player ready to raise the profile of Cameroon’s national teams. Fourteen was tasked with supplying kits for all levels of national football, including the Indomitable Lions, and the agreement was heralded as a new chapter in Cameroonian football’s image and marketability. However, the brand’s relatively modest presence in global football has become a point of concern.
Founded in 2011 in Geneva, Fourteen has a limited football portfolio, with Kosovo being its only other national team client. In its home country, the brand outfits second-tier clubs such as FC Aarau and CS Italien GE. It also operates across multiple sports including tennis, volleyball, basketball, and polo. With signs of possible financial instability, questions are now being raised about Fourteen’s capacity to meet the demands of a high-profile national team like Cameroon. Although neither Fourteen nor FECAFOOT has issued a public response to the claims, the developments could prove to be a reputational blow for both parties.
