- Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana has been sent home from the World Cup.
- It comes after he had a training ground bust-up with his manager, according to Marca.
Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana has been sent home from the World Cup after a bust-up with his manager Rigobert Song over the team's playing style, according to Marca.
Onana, 26, started Cameroon's Group G opener against Switzerland, which ended in a 1-0 defeat, but he was replaced by Devis Epassy for Monday's 3-3 draw against Serbia.
He was not listed among the substitutes.
Marca reported on Monday that Onana was dropped after getting into an argument with Song, who had criticized him for taking too many risks with his feet.
Against Switzerland, Onana touched the ball 61 times. No goalkeeper has touched the ball more during a single game at this year's World Cup.
The Inter Milan star then asked not to be on the squad for the game against Serbia after learning he was to be dropped, resulting in him being suspended from the team by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), according to Marca.
"He is an important player, but we are in a difficult tournament," Song told reporters on Monday. "I know what I have to do, and that is to ensure that the team takes precedence over any individuals.
"André wanted to step out, and we accepted that position. In a squad, discipline is important."
In a statement, FECAFOOT expressed "its full support" for Song, as he implemented policy "aimed at preserving discipline, solidarity, complementarity and cohesion with the national team."
Cameroon plays Brazil in its final group game on Friday. It needs to win by at least two goals and hope Switzerland fails to beat Serbia to progress to the last 16.
Onana's dismissal from the Cameroon team comes after he served a nine-month doping ban last year.
He was banned from playing for 12 months by UEFA in February 2021 after testing positive for the banned substance Furosemide.
His club at the time, Ajax, said he took his wife's medicine by mistake and that they would appeal the decision. In June, the ban was reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Onana left Ajax in May 2022 and joined Milan in July.