Senegalese Minister of the Interior Mbaye Ndiaye responded to the incidents in the Senegal-Ivory Coast match, expressing concerns about potential repercussions. Here are the key points:
- No Serious Injuries Reported: Minister Ndiaye stated that there were no injuries requiring hospitalization due to the incidents during the match.
- Communication with Ivory Coast Counterpart: He mentioned reaching out to the Minister of the Interior of Côte d’Ivoire, urging an acknowledgment that such situations should not be attributed to Senegal’s hospitality. Simultaneously, he called for a sense of neighborliness to prevent any excesses in behavior towards Senegalese and other ethnic groups in Ivory Coast.
- Consequences for Senegal: The aftermath of the match holds several potential challenges for Senegal, including:
- Financial Penalty: The state is expected to pay a significant fine.
- Image Damage: The negative global image resulting from the incidents complicates the country’s budgetary situation.
- Stadium Suspension: The 60,000-seat stadium, filled for what was anticipated as a celebratory event, is likely to face suspension. Finding a neutral venue for future matches will also be necessary.
- Morale Impact on Other Teams: Other Senegalese teams involved in international competitions may experience a morale setback.
- Governance Crisis: The incidents have shaken the governance of Senegalese football, potentially leading to a new crisis.
- Ineffectiveness of Coach Change: The replacement of the coach, Denis Lavagne, with Cameroonian Jean-Paul Akono did not yield positive results.
- Ineffectuality of Samuel Eto’o’s Return: Despite the return of Samuel E’too, the team could not secure a favorable outcome.
The overall situation promises to be complicated for Senegal, with multiple facets of the sports administration, financial aspects, and national morale affected.
