Following FECAFOOT’s expression of surprise that the decision was made without their input, Cameroon’s minister of sports wrote to defend the selection of a new national football team coach.

The government nominated Belgian Marc Brys to take over as coach of the Indomitable Lions following the firing of Rigobert Song in February, in compliance with both national and international standards, according to a letter obtained by Reuters from Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

According to FECAFOOT, the ministry appointed Brys on its own initiative on Wednesday. It also promised to look into this “regrettable situation”.

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FIFA, the body that oversees world football, has severe regulations against governments meddling in national federations, so any disagreement between the government and the federation might result in a ban from international competition for the five-time African champions.

The letter from Kombi stated that the hiring of coaching staff by his ministry “does not violate any of the’supranational regulations’ and in no way affects the autonomy of FECAFOOT.”

The letter’s validity was attested to by a ministry representative.

An inquiry for comments was not immediately answered by FECAFOOT.

According to Kombi’s letter, the three candidates the federation suggested were offering incomes ranging from 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) to 2.5 million euros annually.

“These are excessive amounts never paid to any coach in the history of the Indomitable Lions,” Kombi said,