World Cup 2026: Senegal chef sacked after alleged sexual harassment incident

The Senegal national team’s FIFA World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by an alleged sexual harassment incident involving the team’s head chef, who has been sacked on a precautionary basis.

The allegations were reportedly made by an employee recruited in the United States to work during Senegal’s stay at the tournament, prompting the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to take immediate action.

Speaking to Senegal’s state broadcaster RTS, the Federation’s General Secretary, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, confirmed that the decision to send the official home was taken after actions allegedly “assimilated to sexual harassment.”

Sow explained that the Federation acted swiftly to prevent the matter from escalating, particularly given the strict legal framework governing such cases in the United States, one of the host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We preferred to take precautionary measures rather than risk intervention by the American police,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of understanding cultural differences, noting that certain forms of behaviour regarded as harmless jokes or signs of familiarity in Senegal may be interpreted as sexual harassment under U.S. laws and workplace standards.

According to Sow, the Federation’s decision was motivated by the need to protect the team’s concentration during the tournament while safeguarding Senegal’s reputation on the international stage.

“The objective was to preserve the serenity of the group and the image of our country,” he added.

The Federation has not disclosed the identity of the accused official, nor has it provided further details regarding the allegations or whether any formal legal complaint has been filed.

The incident comes at a crucial stage of Senegal’s World Cup campaign, with the Lions aiming to maintain their focus on on-field matters despite the off-field controversy.

The Senegalese Football Federation is yet to announce whether any internal disciplinary proceedings will follow after the team’s participation in the tournament.