Controversy Trails Senegal Team Doctor After 2026 World Cup Exit

The Senegal Football Federation is in the spotlight following claims about the national team’s medical staff during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday while reviewing Senegal’s disappointing tournament, FSF President *Abdoulaye Fall* alleged that the team doctor was "trained as a gynaecologist."

According to Fall, the revelation came late in the competition and affected the players’ confidence in the medical support available to the squad.

"Based on the feedback I received, the players were not sufficiently reassured about being supported by him. We had to find convincing expertise so they could feel reassured, because health comes before everything," Fall said.

The federation chief said additional medical expertise was brought in during the tournament to reassure the players.

Medical Association Responds.

The allegations were swiftly rejected by the Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine. In a statement issued late Monday, the body described the claims as "unfounded and defamatory."

The association identified the team doctor as Dr. Abderahmane Fediore, stating that he holds a specialist diploma in sports medicine and sports biology from the Faculty of Medicine at Cheikh Anta Diop University.

The statement added that Dr. Fediore previously headed the physiotherapy department at Fann Hospital and has served as Senegal’s national team doctor since 2017. He has worked at three FIFA World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

The controversy comes days after the FSF dismissed head coach *Pape Bouna Thiaw* following Senegal’s early exit.

Senegal entered the tournament as AFCON champions after beating Morocco in the final in January, but struggled in North America. The Lions lost their opening two group games to France and Norway, and crashed out in the Round of 32 after surrendering a 2-0 lead to Belgium and losing 3-2 in extra time.

The federation is yet to announce Dr. Fediore’s status with the national team going forward.