Senegalese football icon El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf has stirred controversy with claims that the state and the national federation failed to deliver land parcels promised to the national team after their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Diouf alleged that the promised plots of land remain undelivered, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency in Senegalese football.
“The lands that were promised to the players are still pending. Nothing has been given,” he said, adding that a team that brought pride to the nation “deserves better treatment.”
His comments quickly sparked debate, with many supporters viewing them as a direct challenge to the country’s football authorities.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) swiftly issued a rebuttal, distancing itself from Diouf’s statements. In an official response, the federation dismissed his claims as “regrettable” and damaging to Senegal’s image.
While still acknowledging Diouf as a “football legend,” the FSF stressed that his remarks did not reflect the federation’s position and declared its “total disassociation” from his comments.
The FSF also emphasized that “international policy is defined exclusively by the executive committee,” a stance widely interpreted as an attempt to curtail discussion and limit the influence of former players.
Though Diouf’s claims have not been independently verified, the incident has reignited broader concerns about governance, transparency, and freedom of expression in Senegalese sport.
Given Diouf’s stature and media reach, his words carry significant weight, and the federation’s defensive reaction suggests concern over the potential impact of his allegations.
Instead of addressing the substance of the claims, the FSF chose to reject them outright, insisting that such demands “bind only their author.”
Looking ahead, the controversy has raised doubts about the credibility of future reward promises, particularly as Senegal prepares for the 2025 AFCON following their title win in Morocco.
