During a press conference on 13/7 summarizing the World Cup 2026 campaign, Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegal Football Federation (FSF), expressed concerns about the competence of the medical staff accompanying the players.

He revealed that it was only late in the preparation phase that he discovered Abderahmane Fediore, the doctor responsible for the team's care for the past 10 years, was not a sports medicine specialist.

"Our team doctor does not possess the necessary academic background to support the players, as he was trained as a gynecologist", Fall stated. "The players were not truly at ease with his support."

Fall mentioned that after this discovery, the FSF added a medical specialist with appropriate expertise to alleviate player concerns. Fediore has accompanied the Senegal team since 2017, attending three World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.

Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegal Football Federation (FSF), at a press conference on 13/7. *Photo: AFP*

Fall's statements drew a strong reaction from the Senegal Sports Medicine Association (ASMS), which deemed the remarks targeting doctor Fediore "unfounded and defamatory".

While not refuting information that Fediore was trained in gynecology, ASMS affirmed that he possesses sufficient sports medicine knowledge and holds a degree in sports medicine and biology from the Cheikh Anta Diop University Medical Faculty.

He previously headed the physiotherapy department at Fann National University Hospital, one of the leading hospitals and largest medical centers in Dakar, Senegal. ASMS stated that Fediore's past positions within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA sufficiently demonstrate his competence.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is helped off the field after an injury during a World Cup 2026 group stage match against Norway in New Jersey on 22/6. *Photo: Reuters*

ASMS demanded a public apology from the FSF president and stated it might pursue legal action to protect the doctor's reputation. Fall has not yet commented on this information.

This controversy comes days after Senegal fired coach Pape Bouna Thiaw due to the team's poor performance at the World Cup. The squad entered the tournament with high expectations, having been undefeated in the qualifiers and defeating Morocco one-0 in the AFCON final in January, only to be stripped of the title two months later by CAF.

Senegal suffered consecutive losses to France and Norway in their first two World Cup group stage matches, then defeated Iraq 5-0 to advance. In the round of 16, they led Belgium two-0 until the 85th minute, but conceded an equalizer late in the second half, eventually losing two-3 after extra time and exiting the tournament.