Senegal federation president reveals medical and leadership disputes behind World Cup exit

Abdoulaye Fall said the team doctor lacked sports medicine qualifications and described a breakdown in trust with coach Pape Thiaw during the 2026 tournament.

• Fall said the team's main doctor specialized in gynecology and obstetrics, not sports medicine.
• Fall stated that a "rupture in trust" occurred between the federation and coach Pape Thiaw due to his unsigned contract.
• Fall said Thiaw demanded a salary increase from 20 million to 50 million CFA francs and threatened not to travel to the World Cup before the president intervened.
• The federation announced Thiaw's dismissal on July 12, citing the team's performance as below expectations.