Midfielder Steps Away from International Duty
Pape Gueye, the 27-year-old midfielder for Senegal, has announced his decision to take a break from representing his national team. This hiatus is contingent on the current coaching staff remaining in their positions, according to a statement made by Gueye.
World Cup Exit and Subsequent Announcement
Gueye's announcement follows Senegal's recent elimination from the World Cup. The team, under the management of Pape Thiaw, suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the last-32 tie. Senegal initially held a commanding 2-0 lead through goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. However, late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans forced the match into extra time. A contentious penalty awarded to Belgium in the 125th minute, converted by Tielemans, ultimately sealed Senegal's exit from the tournament.
Gueye, who plays for Villarreal in La Liga, started the match but was substituted in the 66th minute. He expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, "I will come back to say a few words about the elimination... but I am announcing today that as long as this coaching staff is in place, I will be taking a break from the national team." Gueye has earned 45 caps for Senegal and notably scored twice in their group-stage victory against Iraq.
Previous Controversies Involving Coaching Staff
Coach Pape Thiaw, who assumed his role in December 2024, has been at the center of previous controversies. His tenure saw Senegal stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title. During the Afcon final in January, Thiaw led his team off the field in protest after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty. Although the players eventually returned after an approximate 17-minute delay, and Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved, with Gueye scoring an extra-time winner, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) later overturned the result in March, declaring Morocco the winners due to Senegal's walk-off. Senegal has since appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Source: BBC Sport
