Football - El Hadji Diouf: A controversy that divides Senegalese?

“Youssou, you and I are bigger than the state (...)”
This 2nd coronation of Senegal in the Africa Cup is definitely a "drama". After Morocco’s complaint to FIFA and the CAF, and the meeting of the disciplinary commission scheduled this Tuesday, Senegal got embroiled in a new controversy. Saturday, on the sidelines of a concert by Youssou Ndour, El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf, champion’s medal on his neck, made utterly lunatic remarks. After his account of what he whispered in the ear of Sadio Mané, he completely lost himself, emptying his bag in front of a conquered scene.

« I will say what no one dares to say: Great (speaking to Youssou Ndour, editor’s note), you are greater than the State. You and I are bigger than the state. When we worked for this country, no one had done it. When the name of Senegal was being discovered internationally, no one had done it before. So I end by saying this: "Settled lén, may lén ko djam" (editor’s note, calm down and leave him alone), split the African Player of the year in 2001 and 2002. A few hours later, it is the FSF that releases a statement dissociating itself from those statements by Diouf.  

«The FSF wishes to completely distance itself from the statements made by Mr. Diouf against the State of Senegal. The body strongly condemns both the substance and the form of the claims made regarding the granting of land (...) The Federation specifies that Mr. Diouf’s statements only commit his own person. Although being a legend of Senegalese football, his opinions expressed in a personal capacity in no way the official position of the FSF (...) Regarding positions on the governance of international football, and the news of the sports governing bodies, the FSF wishes to mark its clear demarcation (...),"

 reads the statement read by Sport News Africa.

A controversy that reveals a fracture in Senegal
Diouf’s remarks and the FSF press release have become a real topic of debate. In the media such as Senegalese national television or even private channels, on social networks, this controversy divides. On one hand, there are those who think that the FSF had no reason to issue this communiqué because according to them, Diouf’s statements do not commit the instance in any way.

 "Another unnecessary media blunder,

 regrets Alhousseynou Diallo.

 This statement is insane, the statements quoted do not commit the Federation, so how is it useful? While we are waiting for explanations about accommodation, sick players, refereeing, supporters detained in Morocco, and the communiqués charged to the CAF and FIFA, the FSF chooses to communicate on a subject that does not concern it,"

 he said.

The question of timing is also mentioned to criticize this position of the Senegalese Football Federation.

 “The FSF statement is a disaster, says Oumar Kanté. Internal incidents must be resolved internally. Especially since timing poses a problem. How does the FSF shaken by the certainly punctual crisis of the AFCON final create another crisis. The crisis within the crisis to stifle a situation is a bad strategy (...) Certainly, Diouf’s statements are not rosy, but there was no urgency to release this statement," 

stressed this Internet user, a Senegalese supporter.

There are also those who find that Diouf is not just anyone, has full access to the national team and that his words must reflect his status in selection.

 "We must dare to say it, El Hadji Diouf did not have to make this statement. Especially the timing, the place. The statement is not good in form but on substance, I cannot blame the Federation for giving its official position,"

 reacted Baïdy Sané.

 Others think that Diouf’s remarks are eminently political. 

“Diouf’s problem is that he would have liked to continue to benefit from the advantages of the old regime. And as he is not too close to the new regime, he thinks that with his status he can afford to say whatever he wants,” 

says Pape Sall.

Ultimately, Senegal is scattered at a time when it was necessary to form a bloc, organize a coherent defense before the meeting of the CAF disciplinary commission after the incidents of the AFCON final. This controversy, to which was added another following the remarks made this weekend by the president of the FSF himself, accusing Morocco of manipulating  CAF.