The President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, has blamed a contract and salary dispute with former head coach Pape Thiaw for the national team’s disappointing performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference in Dakar on Monday, Fall said the disagreement created a toxic atmosphere within the team and contributed to Senegal’s early exit from the tournament.
Fall revealed that a breakdown in trust developed between the federation and Thiaw after the coach demanded a significant salary increase before the World Cup.
“There was a breakdown in trust between Pape Thiaw and us,” Fall said, attributing the fallout to prolonged negotiations over the coach’s contract.
Thiaw, a former Senegal international who was appointed national team coach in 2024, was dismissed on Sunday after Senegal were eliminated by Belgium in the Round of 32 on 1 July.
President intervened before departure
According to the federation president, Thiaw requested that his salary be increased from 20 million CFA francs to a higher amount before the team travelled to the tournament.
Although both parties eventually agreed on a salary of 30 million CFA francs and resolved issues relating to bonuses, Fall said the coach threatened not to travel with the team unless his demands were met.
He disclosed that Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye personally intervened on the day the team was scheduled to depart for the United States, persuading Thiaw to join the squad.
Contract signed during tournament
Fall further alleged that Thiaw refused to sit on the bench during Senegal’s second group-stage match against Norway until his contract had been formally signed.
According to him, the agreement was eventually completed on the eve of that fixture.
He also claimed that the coach believed federation officials were working against him.
“Thiaw believed the federation officials were his enemies, and this impacted the national team’s operations,” Fall said.
Senegal’s World Cup campaign
Senegal endured a difficult tournament, suffering group-stage defeats to France and Norway before recording a convincing 5-0 victory over Iraq to qualify for the knockout stage.
Their campaign, however, ended in the Round of 32 following defeat to Belgium.
Before the World Cup, Thiaw guided Senegal to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
However, the team was later stripped of the continental title after walking off the pitch during the chaotic final against Morocco.
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