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The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) says a breakdown in trust between the federation and former national team coach Pape Thiaw contributed to his dismissal following the country’s World Cup campaign.
Speaking at a press conference in Dakar on Monday, FSF President Abdoulaye Fall said tensions escalated after Thiaw demanded a significant salary increase before the tournament.
According to Fall, Thiaw sought to raise his monthly salary from 20 million CFA francs to 50 million CFA francs. After negotiations, both parties agreed on a temporary salary of 30 million CFA francs during the World Cup, while other issues, including bonuses, were also resolved.
Fall alleged that Thiaw threatened not to travel with the team to the tournament until Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intervened on the day of departure.
He further claimed the coach refused to take his place on the bench for Senegal’s second group match against Norway until his contract was signed, with the agreement eventually finalised on the eve of the fixture.
The federation president also said Thiaw believed FSF officials were working against him, creating an atmosphere that negatively affected the team’s operations during the tournament.
Senegal lost to France and Norway in the group stage before defeating Iraq 5-0 to qualify for the knockout phase, where they were eliminated by Belgium in the Round of 32 on July 1.
Thiaw, a former Senegal international who became head coach in 2024, was dismissed on Sunday. During his tenure, he guided Senegal to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations before the team was later stripped of the title following a disciplinary sanction over a walk-off during the final against Morocco.
