Senegal’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has ordered the country’s football federation to suspend all media appearances following controversial remarks by senior officials about the national team’s World Cup campaign.
The decision comes as Senegalese football faces mounting tensions after the team’s dramatic 3-2 loss to Belgium in the Round of 32 and a series of disputes that have emerged in the weeks since the tournament.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry said it had instructed the Senegalese Football Federation, known as the FSF, to halt all interviews, public statements and media interventions related to the World Cup.
The ministry said the measure was intended to preserve public calm, protect the country’s international image and ensure respect for state institutions.
Officials also called on all parties involved in Senegalese football to act responsibly and avoid fueling controversies that could damage the nation’s reputation.
The order followed remarks by FSF President Abdoulaye Fall, who drew criticism after disclosing that the national team’s doctor specialized in gynecology and did not possess what he described as the academic profile required to support elite football players.
Fall said he became aware of the issue only later and claimed that some members of the squad had doubts about the medical support provided during the tournament.
He argued that the team needed medical staff capable of reassuring players and insisted that their health remained the federation’s top priority.
Additional controversy emerged after FSF Secretary-General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow revealed that the national team’s cook had been sent back to Senegal during the World Cup over allegations of sexual harassment.
Sow said the decision had been made in coordination with Fall and Senegalese authorities to avoid a possible arrest in the United States, maintain stability within the squad and protect Senegal’s image abroad.
He also suggested that cultural differences may have played a role, arguing that behavior considered friendly in Senegal could be interpreted differently in the United States.
The latest revelations have intensified scrutiny of the federation and added to a growing list of problems that have surfaced since Senegal’s elimination.
Midfielder Pape Gueye previously announced that he would step away from international football under the coaching staff led by former head coach Pape Thiaw.
Local media have also reported financial, administrative and logistical difficulties surrounding the national team, including allegations that players had not received promised bonuses despite the federation earning substantial revenue from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Thiaw, who was dismissed Monday, was reportedly left unpaid for more than five months before his departure.
According to Fall, tensions inside the team escalated during the World Cup after Thiaw requested a salary increase, contributing to what he described as a toxic atmosphere around the squad.
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