The Senegalese Football Federation issued a strong statement against former international player El Hadji Diouf due to remarks in which he threatened the state, following the deprivation of players who won the Africa Cup in 2022 from lands granted to them by the former president.
El Hadji Diouf, at an event alongside a local singer during the celebration of the Africa Cup victory, sent a message to the government and said: “Youssou N’Dour and I, we are a nation. We are stronger than the state. We have done everything for this country, so the state must respect us and leave us alone. Otherwise, there will be no peace.”
The statement revealed a dispute concerning real estate heritage, particularly the lands that former president Macky Sall granted to players after their victory in the Africa Cup of Nations 2022. Diouf accuses the current government of reclaiming these properties, including his own land, and threatens to disturb the peace if the authorities do not respect artists and former players.
It is worth noting that “the lands” were among the rewards given to players who won the Africa Cup in Morocco, along with financial compensation.
In light of these serious accusations and because Diouf is considered “the ambassador of the Senegalese Federation,” he hurried on Sunday to issue a statement distancing himself from the international player’s words and considers them personal.
