Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has revealed he has never been paid his salary on a regular basis, as deepening turmoil within the country’s football federation casts serious doubt over his future and the direction of the national team.
The Belgian coach, already under pressure following Mali’s performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, now finds himself operating in an environment marked by uncertainty and institutional paralysis.
With key international fixtures approaching, Saintfiet has admitted he no longer knows whether he is preparing for the next international break or for an abrupt end to his tenure.
The extent of the crisis became publicly visible during an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF, where Saintfiet disclosed that he had learned of the resignation of the entire Malian Football Federation leadership through the internet rather than official channels.
” I found out online that the entire Malian Football Federation had resigned, but nobody told me! ” he said.
The episode highlighted a striking breakdown in communication between the federation and its national team coach, leaving the technical staff isolated and informed of major internal developments through media reports rather than direct contact.
The resignations have created a power vacuum at the top of the Malian Football Federation, known as FEMAFOOT, further destabilising an organisation that has already struggled with internal governance issues.
With the executive committee stepping down, the federation has been left without clear leadership, making decision-making and coordination increasingly difficult.
Beyond administrative instability, Saintfiet also pointed to serious financial shortcomings. He revealed that since taking up the role 18 months ago, he has never received his wages in a consistent or timely manner, describing a system that relies on repeated interventions from his representatives.
” I’ve never been paid normally every five months; my agent calls them to get the installments , ” he stated.
The coach’s remarks paint a picture of precarious working conditions, where contractual obligations are not honoured as agreed and where uncertainty has become the norm.
According to Saintfiet, the lack of financial stability further undermines efforts to build a coherent sporting project for the national team.
His situation echoes the difficulties faced by his predecessor, Eric Chelle, who also encountered structural and financial problems during his time in charge.
The recurring nature of these issues suggests deeper systemic failings within Malian football administration.
As matters stand, Mali’s national team risks being caught in a cycle of instability, where leadership crises and unpaid wages continue to overshadow sporting objectives.
Without significant institutional reform, Saintfiet’s comments raise questions not only about his own future, but also about the long-term prospects of the Eagles under an increasingly fragile management framework.
