In a dramatic escalation, Senegal’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has ordered the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to cease all public statements, interviews, and social media comments regarding the national team’s turbulent 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The directive comes hot on the heels of a highly controversial press conference by FSF President Abdoulaye Fall, where he publicly blamed the team’s long-time doctor ; a gynaecologist by original training for contributing to player unease during the tournament.
Senegal’s Teranga Lions crashed out in the Round of 32 against Belgium.
The post-tournament period has been messy: Coach Pape Thiaw and staff were sacked, rumours of off-field indiscipline swirled, and Fall’s remarks about Dr. Abdourahmane Fédior ignited a firestorm.
The Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine hit back hard, defending the doctor’s credentials and demanding an apology.
This isn’t the first headache ; lingering disputes from the AFCON and reports of delegation chaos have painted a picture of deeper federation issues.
What’s Next?
The government’s move signals it is taking control of the narrative.
A full bilan (review) will examine responsibilities and chart a path forward. Names like Patrick Vieira have already been floated as potential new coaches.
Read full statement here :
