Koulibaly's powerful message after FSF president's accusations

Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup has erupted into a full-blown internal crisis after the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, made a series of controversial statements, blaming several officials and players for the failure.

During Monday's press conference, Fall declared: "Some players had gained significant influence over the coach. There were players who couldn't be substituted, others who couldn't be played, and even some who couldn't be called up."

He added: "The national technical director emphasized in his report that he was not sufficiently involved during the World Cup. Everything I am saying is based on established facts."

Fall also revealed that his dispute with Pape Thiaw began before the delegation's departure for the United States.

According to him, "The coach threatened not to accompany the team to the World Cup if his financial demands were not met, before President Bassirou Diomaye Faye intervened to convince him to join the delegation."

He continued: "The trust between the FSF and Pape Thiaw was broken due to his new contract not being signed."

The FSF president went on to criticize the team doctor, stating: "The team's doctor did not have the academic profile to support our athletes. This was something I discovered quite late. Dr. Fédior is actually a trained gynecologist."

He concluded: "The players did not have enough confidence to be treated by him. We needed to find an expert who could fully reassure them, because health comes before everything else."

Kalidou Koulibaly calls for unity

These comments sparked an immediate reaction from Kalidou Koulibaly. The former captain of the Lions of Teranga posted a message on Instagram, calling for calm and responsibility.

In a story, he wrote: "Are we really obliged to make a spectacle of ourselves like this on the world stage?"

He then added: "Let's put an end to these ego wars that only divide us. Let's not waste years of work, sacrifice, and progress. Let's regain our composure and make the right choices, in the best interest of Senegalese football. Let's do it so our younger brothers can keep making an entire nation dream."

Koulibaly concluded his message by urging everyone to take responsibility: "There are many at fault, and everyone must assume their responsibilities, with clarity and humility. Because today, it is not only our football that suffers, but also the image of Senegal. If we continue down this path, we will not advance our football—we will set it back. A word to the wise. The Lion may fall at times, but the Lion always rises again."

A Sacked coach and a gynecologist: Inside the most bizarre World Cup scandal of 2026

Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.

Related teams and leagues

Senegal