🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Ismaïla Sarr denies altercation rumors with Pape Guèye after Senegal's World Cup elimination
via SeneNews2 min read
Ismaïla Sarr has addressed rumors of an altercation with teammate Pape Guèye, categorically denying the claims. Following Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, Sarr took to social media to clarify the situation and thank supporters for their messages. He stated, "There has never been an altercation between Pape Guèye and me. That is totally false. In difficult times, some seek to create divisions. Our response will always be the same: remain united." Sarr acknowledged the immense disappointment among fans and players alike regarding the team's early exit, recognizing that the players share the same ambitions as the Senegalese people. He urged supporters to remember the team's past successes, emphasizing that one setback should not overshadow their achievements. The Crystal Palace player, who scored four goals in the World Cup, concluded his message with a call for unity, stating that cohesion, faith, and hard work are essential for future success.
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A video widely shared on social media, attributing statements to former French international Zinedine Zidane, has sparked controversy online. The viral recording presents the former coach as commenting on the management of Senegal's national football team and technical choices made during the World Cup, specifically criticizing coach Pape Thiaw. The video claims Zidane stated, "For me, Senegal lost because of the coach's choices. How can you lead 2-0 and immediately remove the three midfielders who dominated the match? Pape Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, and Habib Diarra gave balance to this team. These changes completely revived Belgium." He is also quoted saying, "Pape Thiaw does not have the level to coach this Senegal team." However, after verification, it has been confirmed that the video is manipulated content, a deepfake using artificial intelligence to imitate Zidane's image and voice. None of these statements were authentically made by him. The widely circulated video is out of context and manipulated. It is not a recent statement related to the World Cup or a match analysis, but an old excerpt from an institutional intervention where Zidane participated in an activity related to the United Nations Development Programme UNDP as a goodwill ambassador. The original video contains no comments about Senegal, a recent competition, or a national technical staff. The elements currently circulating on social media are an editorial montage that superimposed subtitles and audio narrati
Must ReadThe Diomaye Président coalition in Saint-Louis has publicly affirmed its strong support for President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his proposed referendum. During a general assembly, local officials not only reiterated their political alignment but also criticized Ousmane Sonko's constitutional revision initiatives, viewing them as potentially destabilizing to the current institutional balance. Ousmane Ndiaye, the Secretary General of the departmental coordination, highlighted the increasing public adherence in Saint-Louis to the President's policies, indicating a growing political base. The coalition aims to translate this momentum into electoral success in upcoming local elections, with the goal of winning all five communes and the departmental council. They view the referendum as crucial for consolidating the institutional framework and legitimizing national directions. Concurrently, the Saint-Louis coordination strongly criticized Ousmane Sonko's constitutional revision efforts, questioning their political legitimacy and accusing him of attempting to impose an institutional direction without national consensus. Ndiaye specifically referred to Sonko as a "fake President of the National Assembly," stating that his project "will not pass" and that it is unacceptable for "one million nine hundred thousand votes to decide the future of over nineteen million Senegalese," further accusing Sonko of seeking to "muzzle the President of the Republic within the parliament."
Following Senegal's elimination from the World Cup by Belgium, midfielder Pape Gueye announced a temporary withdrawal from the national team, citing frustration with the technical staff. His statement, "I will come back to tell you a few words about the elimination... but I announce today that as long as this technical staff is in place, I will take a break from the national team," has sparked debate. Sports journalist Mansour Loum clarified that Gueye's criticism is not aimed at head coach Pape Thiaw, but rather at an influential staff member believed to be dictating poor choices to the coach. Loum stated on Match 360, "Pape Gueye is indeed targeting someone, but it's not Pape Thiaw. He is criticizing a staff member whom he believes has too much influence over the coach, to the point of having dictated bad choices to him."