Senegal government gags Football Federation amid internal crisis after World Cup exit

The Senegalese government has ordered the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) to immediately stop making public comments regarding the ongoing internal crisis within the country’s football administration following the team’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The directive instructs the federation’s officials to refrain from granting interviews, issuing official statements, or making any comments through traditional media platforms and social media until further notice.

According to the government, the decision is aimed at reducing tensions, protecting national unity and ensuring that state institutions are respected while efforts are made to address the situation.

The move comes amid growing unrest within Senegalese football circles following the Teranga Lions’ disappointing World Cup campaign, which has triggered intense scrutiny of the team’s management, technical direction and leadership structures.

The fallout from the tournament has already resulted in major changes, with head coach Pape Thiaw and his technical staff being relieved of their duties after Senegal’s underwhelming performance on the global stage.

The government is now seeking to prevent further public disagreements between key stakeholders as it works to bring stability back to Senegalese football.

The Senegal Football Federation has yet to publicly respond to the directive, but the order represents an unprecedented intervention by authorities as pressure continues to mount over the future direction of the national team.

Senegal, one of Africa’s strongest football nations in recent years, is now facing a period of reflection as officials look to rebuild ahead of upcoming international competitions. The government is expected to engage relevant stakeholders privately in a bid to resolve the current impasse and restore confidence in the country’s football project.

With the World Cup, Senegal will now shift their attention to the AFCON qualifiers, which get underway in September later this year. The Teranga Lions have been housed in Group J alongside Mozambique, Sudan, and Ethiopia