Pape Thiaw Ousted by FSF: Between Popular Relief and Accusations of Convenient Scapegoat

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) fired Pape Thiaw and his entire technical staff on July 11, 2026, following the Lions of Teranga's elimination in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The statement cited an evaluation of sports results, while an online petition calling for his departure had gathered over 35,000 signatures. Some supporters welcome the dismissal, but others accuse the FSF of making Thiaw a scapegoat, pointing to administrative failures such as visa delays and unpaid salaries that disrupted World Cup preparations.