Senegal Midfielder Pape Gueyé Suspends International Career Over Coaching Staff

Senegal’s senior football team faces a new internal dispute after midfielder Pape Gueyé declared he will not represent the country while the present coaching personnel stay in their positions. The player said he is taking an indefinite break from international duties, a move that follows the national side’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup.

Gueyé’s decision was made public shortly after Senegal’s dramatic exit from the tournament, where the Teranga Lions were knocked out by Belgium. The midfielder’s statement linked his personal boycott directly to the continued presence of the current technical staff, indicating that he would only consider a return if changes are made within the coaching hierarchy.

The announcement has added pressure on the Senegalese Football Federation, which has yet to comment on whether it will consider restructuring the coaching team. No official response from the federation or the coaching staff has been reported, and the federation’s stance on Gueyé’s protest remains unclear.

Gueyé, a regular starter in the midfield, has not specified a timeline for his return, describing his hiatus as “indefinite.” His stance reflects broader concerns among some players about the direction of the national team after the World Cup disappointment, though no other squad members have publicly echoed his sentiment.

The World Cup exit, which saw Senegal eliminated in the group stage by Belgium, has sparked debate within the country about the team’s preparation and management. Critics have pointed to tactical decisions and squad selection as factors in the early departure, while supporters of the coaching staff argue that the team’s performance was affected by the strength of the opposition.