The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has publicly criticized the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) for allegedly stalling the nationality switch of Ilay Camara.
While Assane Diao, Yehvann Diouf, and Antoine Mendy have been officially cleared to represent Senegal, Camara’s case remains unresolved due to administrative delays from the Belgian side.
Frustration Over Prolonged Paperwork
Camara, 22, currently plays for Standard Liège and has previously represented Belgium at youth level.
Keen to switch his international allegiance to Senegal, he has yet to receive FIFA’s approval—primarily because the RBFA has not provided the necessary documentation confirming his previous eligibility for Belgium’s national teams.
The FSF, in an official statement issued on Friday, expressed frustration over the prolonged process, emphasizing that the lack of cooperation from the Belgian FA has created unnecessary hurdles.
“The administrative procedures concerning Ilay Camara’s nationality switch remain blocked due to the Royal Belgian Football Association’s failure to submit the required documents,” the FSF noted. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as developments unfold.”
Camara’s Availability for Sudan Clash in Doubt
With Senegal set to face Sudan on Saturday, Camara’s participation remains in jeopardy. Without formal clearance, he is ineligible to play, leaving national team coach Aliou Cissé uncertain about his squad selection.
This situation echoes previous nationality disputes in international football. Algeria, for instance, encountered similar difficulties when Germany delayed Ibrahim Maza’s switch to the North African side.
The ongoing delays in Camara’s case have fueled speculation about Belgium’s intentions, particularly given the increasing number of dual-national players opting to represent African nations in recent years.
The RBFA has yet to comment on the allegations, but the debate continues over whether the delay is due to bureaucratic red tape or a reluctance to lose another promising talent to Senegal.
