Madar (Dakar) - The dispute between former Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has not yet been settled, Youth and Sports Minister Djirèye Clotilde Coly said on Monday, 2 November 2026, calling for dialogue in an interview with the TFM channel, Wiwsport reported.
"The Pape Thiaw file has not been closed yet because it is not an easy thing to settle," she said. "Pape Thiaw is a Senegalese citizen who has given us a great deal of satisfaction. We do not forget him, and the State has not forgotten him either," she added, saying the case was being followed "very closely so that it has a favourable and the most peaceful possible outcome".
"As minister of youth and sports, representing the State, I am campaigning for discussion," she said, favouring talks over confrontation.
Thiaw was dismissed by the FSF executive committee on 11 July 2026 after Senegal's World Cup exit, with the federation citing results it considered insufficient against its objectives, including reaching at least the quarter-finals, according to Wiwsport.
The dispute then turned to money: through his lawyer, Guédel Ndiaye, the former coach sent the FSF a formal notice claiming CFA 423,820,300, including six months of unpaid salary from March to August 2026 (CFA 180 million), signing and special bonuses, CFA 100 million linked to the team's Africa Cup of Nations performance and World Cup qualification, as well as allowances and professional expenses.
His successor, Patrick Vieira, appointed on 18 August, will name his second squad on Thursday, 5 November, for two matches against Sudan, on 12 November at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium and on 16 November. Senegal have four points in group J, level with Mozambique, the outlet said.
