Senegal unrest: all sport suspended for 15 days
Because of unrest and protests in Senegal, the Sports Ministry has announced that all competitions are suspended for 15 days
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From the evening of 2 June, the day after the first protests and numerous clashes between civilians and security forces, fixtures began to be called off. The final of the national rugby cup and the women's D1 clash between Dakar Sacré-Cœur and Sirène de Grand-Yoff were the first sporting events to be postponed. It is a sign of the tension gripping Senegal since the verdict handed down on 1st June in the trial of Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party and political opponent, who was accused of rape (he was ultimately given a two-year prison term for "corrupting youth").
Read more: Tensions in Senegal: football at a standstill
Although the situation seems less tense since then, the scars of the violence are still there, as shown by the more than 20 deaths recorded. And in a bid to avoid, as far as possible, large gatherings that could spark fresh protests and clashes, the Senegalese state has taken a drastic step. The Sports Ministry, currently headed by Prime Minister Amadou Ba, has announced the suspension of all sporting activities across the country. The measure will last for at least two weeks.
End-of-season calendar to be reworked
"The Senegalese Football Federation wishes to inform the presidents of the amateur football leagues and the club presidents that, given the security situation in the country and on instructions from the higher authority, all football competitions are suspended until further notice throughout the national territory", the Senegalese Football Federation said on Tuesday evening. The decision has since been extended to all sporting competitions by the Senegalese state.
It is a serious blow to local sport, and above all it will upend the end of the season in many disciplines. Three rounds of league football will now have to be played at later dates. The Senegalese Rugby Federation, which had hoped to move the date of its national cup final from 3 to 10 June, must also rethink its plans. The same goes for basketball and wrestling, a hugely popular sport in Senegal. The situation will cause a real headache for the federations as they reshuffle their various calendars. Local sport faces a serious halt, and everyone involved will have to wait for a return to normal... provided calm is actually restored.