Senegal Ministry of Youth and Sports has ordered the country’s football federation to immediately stop making public statements about the national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, following a controversial press conference that intensified tensions around the Teranga Lions.
The ministry issued the directive on Tuesday, 14 July, warning the Senegalese Football Federation that no further comments, media appearances or public interventions on the issue would be accepted.
The move comes as authorities attempt to bring an increasingly heated dispute under control after officials from the federation publicly addressed several sensitive issues surrounding Senegal’s World Cup campaign.
In its statement, the ministry said it was closely following the ongoing discussions and reactions linked to the national team’s participation in the tournament. It expressed concern that continued public comments were increasing tensions and creating unnecessary controversy.
The government body said the repeated statements risked damaging Senegal’s reputation and credibility on the international stage.
The ministry, led by Giraï Clotilde Collé, said the decision was necessary to stop further escalation and ensure that the matter was handled through appropriate channels.
Authorities also confirmed that the state would take responsibility for reviewing the circumstances surrounding Senegal’s World Cup involvement. An official report will be produced to examine all aspects of the campaign, with the ministry promising a detailed and transparent assessment.
The report, according to the ministry, will follow official procedures and will be conducted with the level of seriousness required by the situation.
The government intervention follows a press conference organised by the Senegalese Football Federation a day earlier, where federation president Abdoulaye Fall and other officials discussed a range of controversial topics.
Those issues included decisions taken during the World Cup, the end of former head coach Pape Thiaw’s contract, internal organisation, working methods, nutrition arrangements and the role of the national team’s medical staff.
The comments made during the press conference triggered strong reactions, with some of the federation’s claims being challenged by individuals involved with the national team.
Senegal team doctor Dr Abdourahmane Fédior responded to remarks made by the federation president, rejecting the allegations and describing them as “falsehoods.”
He also confirmed his professional qualifications, stating that he received his sports medicine diploma in 2008.
The controversy surrounding Dr Fédior was among the issues that attracted attention after claims were made questioning his suitability for the role because of his original medical specialisation in gynecology and obstetrics.
Supporters of the doctor pointed to his decade-long involvement with the national team and his experience working within Senegal’s football setup.
The latest developments mark a significant intervention from the government as Senegal attempts to move beyond the dispute and focus on addressing questions surrounding its World Cup participation.
The ministry’s decision effectively places a temporary halt on public discussions from the football federation while authorities prepare their official review into the matter.
