Major backing: ASMS calls remarks about Dr. Fédior ‘unfounded and defamatory’

Senegal Sports Medicine Association demands public apology after comments made by football federation president

The Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine (ASMS) has come to the defence of former Senegal national team doctor Dr. Abderahmane Fédior, describing recent comments made about him by Senegalese Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall as “unfounded and defamatory.”

The organisation issued a statement expressing its support for Dr. Fédior following remarks made by Fall during a press conference at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, where the federation president addressed the doctor’s absence from Senegal’s medical team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

During the media briefing, Fall explained that Dr. Fédior had not been part of the Lions’ World Cup delegation because of his medical speciality.

“In fact, our head doctor doesn’t have the academic background to support our athletes. Dr. Fedior is a gynecologist by training, something I only discovered later. The players weren’t convinced,” Fall told the Senegalese press.

The comments prompted an immediate response from the ASMS, which rejected the claims and publicly reaffirmed its confidence in Dr. Fédior.

Association defends doctor’s qualifications

In its statement released on Monday evening, the Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine sought to clarify Dr. Fédior’s academic credentials.

According to the organisation, Dr. Fédior “holds a DES (Diploma of Specialized Studies) in Sports Medicine and Biology from the Faculty of Medicine at UCAD (Cheikh Anta Diop University).”

The association said those qualifications reflected his expertise in sports medicine and challenged the assertions made during the federation president’s press conference.

The ASMS also used the statement to reiterate its support for Dr. Fédior, insisting that the allegations directed at him did not accurately represent his professional background.

ASMS demands public apology

The association went further by calling for an apology from those responsible for the remarks.

In its statement, the ASMS said: “ASMS believes that the statements targeting Dr. Fédior are unfounded and defamatory, reaffirms its confidence in him, demands a public apology, and indicates that it reserves the right to pursue all necessary legal avenues to defend its honor and dignity.”

The organisation added that it would consider further action if necessary to protect both its reputation and that of its member.

More than a decade with Senegal

Dr. Fédior spent more than ten years as part of Senegal’s national team setup before his tenure came to an end in 2026.

During that period, he led the Lions’ medical department at five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, serving at the 2017, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025 editions.

He also formed part of Senegal’s medical staff at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

His absence from the 2026 World Cup squad became a subject of discussion after comments made by Abdoulaye Fall during Monday’s press conference.

Those remarks have now led to a public dispute, with the Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine firmly rejecting the claims against Dr. Fédior and standing by his professional qualifications and record of service with the national team.