Vote-Buying and Lost Titles: Inside the double crisis rocking Senegalese football

Senegalese judicial authorities have officially resumed their investigation into suspected corruption surrounding the election of Senegalese Football Federation FSF president Abdoulaye Fall, with police in Dakar initiating a series of formal hearings, according to local daily L'Observateur.

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Dakar police launch hearings over vote-buying claims

The case stems from a formal legal complaint filed by Mamadou Kandji against the federation president alongside senior figures Elimane Lam, Moussa Mbaye, Mustapha Bèye and Ndjambé Diop.

According to Senegalese media group Futurs Médias, the individuals are suspected of orchestrating vote-buying schemes and offering unlawful promises of institutional benefits to influence the outcome of the federation's presidential vote.

The public prosecutor originally ordered the opening of a judicial inquiry into the matter in September 2025.

Procedural steps are now moving forward in the capital. Mustapha Bèye is scheduled to appear as the first official questioned by investigators on Monday.

Fall who is currently outside Dakar but has been formally served with his summons, will appear later in the week, followed by other implicated federation executives.

Compounding institutional pressure and the AFCON 2025 dispute

The domestic corruption inquiry comes at an exceptionally turbulent period for the FSF which is simultaneously embroiled in an international legal battle before the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Confederation of African Football CAF stripped the Senegal national team of the continental crown following a chaotic and disputed final against Morocco national team in Rabat.

CAF subsequently awarded the match 3-0 to Morocco citing an opponent forfeit, whereas the Senegalese federation maintains that the 1-0 victory achieved on the pitch after extra time must stand.

What happens next?

Dakar investigators will complete their round of interrogations this week to determine whether formal charges will be brought against Fall and his associates, a process that could trigger significant leadership shifts within Senegalese football governance.

Meanwhile, CAS has scheduled a formal hearing for 8 October 2026, to review Senegal's appeal against CAF's disciplinary sanctions. With no definitive ruling date announced by the Lausanne-based court, Senegalese football faces a decisive autumn marked by judicial scrutiny at home and high-stakes arbitration abroad.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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