Senegal Football Federation files defamation lawsuit against media

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced on 3 July 2026 that it has lodged a formal criminal complaint with the prosecutor of the Dakar High Court. The complaint targets several local media outlets that published an article titled “World Cup of the federals in the USA: gala parties, vintage alcohol bottles, presence of ‘gallant company’ on the menu,” which the FSF says falsely accuses its leaders of extreme misconduct during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The federation, represented by President Abdoulaye Fall and lawyer Mohamed Seydou Diagne, cites articles 255, 258, 260 and 262 of the Senegalese Penal Code and press‑law provisions for defamation and the diffusion of false news. FSF denied the allegations, called the publication a coordinated smear campaign, and affirmed its respect for press freedom while urging a prompt judicial investigation to protect its reputation following the national team’s elimination from the tournament.