Senegal Government orders media silence to its football federation as fallout from World cup exit deepens
The Senegalese government has instructed the country’s Football Federation to suspend all media engagements and public communications as controversy continues to grow following the national team’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup.
Under the directive, federation officials have been barred from granting interviews, issuing public statements or making comments on social media until further notice.
The decision comes amid mounting criticism after the Teranga Lions were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.
In the aftermath of the loss, the Senegalese Football Federation announced the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw, a move that further intensified the situation.
The controversy deepened when the federation’s president publicly blamed the team’s long-serving doctor, Dr. Abdourahmane Fédior, alleging that his actions contributed to unrest within the squad during the tournament.
The latest developments also revive tensions surrounding last year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Senegal lost its championship title under controversial circumstances. The team had initially been declared winners against Morocco, but the result was overturned after Senegal’s players briefly left the pitch on the instructions of coach Pape Thiaw. Morocco subsequently argued that the walk-off constituted a forfeiture, leading to Senegal being stripped of the title.
With tensions continuing to rise, the Senegalese government is expected to review the circumstances surrounding the recent events, determine where responsibility lies and outline measures aimed at restoring stability and confidence within the country’s football administration.
