Mondial 2026 : la FSF évoque un « échec collectif » pour expliquer la rupture avec Pape Thiaw
After weeks of silence following the Lions' elimination from the 2026 World Cup, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has finally spoken out on the matter. A guest on the program "Point de vue," the federation's general secretary, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, acknowledged that the initial objectives had not been met, while also explaining the reasons that led to the dismissal of coach Pape Thiaw.
A performance below expectations
"This campaign has been a failure in light of our objectives and the talent of our team," the FSF's general secretary bluntly stated, emphasizing that the initial ambition was to reach at least the quarterfinals. The reigning African champions were ultimately stopped in the round of 16 by Belgium, after leading 2-0 until the 85th minute.
According to Abdoulaye Sow, the assessment carried out by the federation's Executive Committee is not intended to point the finger at a single person, but to review the entire campaign: sporting aspects, organization, logistics, and administrative and financial management. "We must not shirk collective responsibility," he emphasized, adding that the federation never intended to blame the national team coach.
A breakup deemed inevitable
While paying a heartfelt tribute to Pape Thiaw, the Secretary General stated that the way the competition unfolded made the separation unavoidable. "When decisions must be made, they must be made without hesitation," he declared, specifying that the Executive Committee had consulted at length before formalizing this choice. He asserted that this decision was based not only on the Lions' elimination, but also on the quality of their performances during the four matches of the tournament.
A contract not finalized before the World Cup, an acknowledged "mistake"
Regarding the controversy surrounding the absence of a signed contract with Pape Thiaw before the departure for the World Cup, the general secretary admits a hiccup in the handling of the matter, while recalling that it did not depend solely on the federation, as the state was responsible for the coach's salary.
With a view to increasing the coach's salary, he indicated that talks with the Ministry of Sports began after Senegal's victory at the last Africa Cup of Nations. However, points of disagreement arose regarding the salary amount and its associated benefits. Abdoulaye Sow stated that a contract offer was submitted to Pape Thiaw on February 26, 2026, but no agreement was reached before the Lions' departure for the United States.
He finally revealed that the matter could only be resolved following the personal involvement of the Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who helped reconcile the positions of the different parties. The Secretary General acknowledged that this was a "mistake" that may have hampered the Lions' preparation, but did not consider it the sole cause of their sporting disappointment.
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