Tensions Rise Between Alain Giresse and Senegalese Press Ahead of CAN 2015
As Senegal’s national team continues preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, an all-too-familiar specter has resurfaced — internal discord. This time, it’s not the players at the center of controversy, but rather head coach Alain Giresse, who has reportedly refused to engage with Senegalese journalists covering the team’s training camp in Al Jadida, Morocco.
The French coach’s continued silence toward local press — especially after Senegal’s 1-0 friendly win over Gabon in Casablanca — has triggered a storm of criticism. While Giresse gave interviews to foreign media, he bluntly refused to address journalists from his host nation, despite their significant presence on site.
In his place, it was national technical director Mayacine Mar who attempted to smooth things over by speaking to the press. But that gesture was not enough to quell the dissatisfaction.
In response, the National Sports Press Association formally reached out to the Senegalese Football Federation on Saturday to denounce Giresse’s behavior, warning that this breakdown in communication could escalate further once around fifty Senegalese journalists arrive in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea for the tournament.
This growing tension threatens to destabilize team morale just a week before Senegal’s opening match. If left unresolved, it may create an unnecessarily hostile atmosphere around the Lions, a team already under pressure to live up to its potential in a tough Group C featuring Algeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
Will Giresse break his silence? Or is Senegal heading toward another tournament clouded by off-field distractions?
