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Controversy over accreditation and mixed zones during the Senegal-Sudan match: Journalists denounce favoritism and discrimination

Auteur: Ndeye Astou KONATÉ

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Polémique autour des accréditations et des zones mixtes lors du match Sénégal-Soudan : Les journalistes dénoncent favoritisme et discrimination

A heated controversy erupted over the management of accreditation and access to mixed zones during the Senegal-Sudan match, a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio. Many journalists denounced practices deemed inconsistent, discriminatory, and even marked by favoritism in the allocation of accreditation and access to restricted areas.

Unexplained restrictions and palpable tensions

According to several accounts, reporters were denied entry to the mixed zone under the pretext of opaque "filtering." It was only in the press gallery that some learned that only a few colleagues, mysteriously "designated," had been granted access. Pape Djibril Gaye, a journalist at Source A, expressed his outrage: "Since when do journalists have to be told which ticket they should take, between the press conference and the mixed zone?"

The atmosphere on site was so tense that the accreditation officer asked journalists "fo bok?" (which group do you belong to?), as if to verify their legitimacy. The case of Fatou Bintou, a journalist at RTS, is emblematic: despite having an "All Access" badge, she was denied entry to the mixed zone without explanation.

Notable incidents

One notable incident involved Fama Ngom, identifiable by her green scarf, who claimed to be acting on instructions from RTS journalist Françoise Seck to limit access to certain reporters. This situation amplified the frustration of media professionals, already faced with a chaotic accreditation process. Even more shocking, Abdoulaye Thiam, president of the National Sports Press Association (ANPS) and AIPS Africa, was denied accreditation, a fact seen as an aberration by the profession. Meanwhile, influencers were granted "All Access" badges and digital accreditations, to the detriment of established journalists, fueling accusations of favoritism.

Management criticized in a sensitive context

These restrictions come amid an already tense climate for the Senegalese press, marked by a decline in press freedom in recent years. Between 2021 and 2024, Senegal fell from 49th to 94th place in the Reporters Without Borders world rankings, due to arrests, attacks, and media suspensions under the presidency of Macky Sall. Journalists denounce the marginalization of their profession in favor of clientelist practices. "Is the work of professional journalists being relegated to the background in favor of cronyism?" asks the media community, calling for greater transparency and fairness in the management of accreditations.

In the face of this criticism, neither the Senegalese Football Federation nor the Ministry of Communication have yet officially responded. This controversy, which arose during a match won 2-0 by Senegal thanks to goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr, risks reigniting the debate on media regulation and the protection of journalists' rights in Senegal.

Auteur: Ndeye Astou KONATÉ
Publié le: Samedi 06 Septembre 2025

Commentaires (8)

  • image
    Momo il y a 2 jours

    C' est la descente partout avec tasfep. Tout est revu a la baisse. Putain

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    Mimosa il y a 2 jours

    De 2021 à 2024, le Sénégal a chuté de la 49e à 94 place dans le classement Rsf en raison des arrestations sous Macky Sall. Toi le fou tu nous parles de Pastef. Vraiment tu es un ignare

  • image
    Pi il y a 2 jours

    Déplorable.pathétique.

  • image
    Malcolm il y a 2 jours

    C'est le projet de Pasteef. Diviser les sénégalais.

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    citoyen il y a 2 jours

    vraiment vous les politiciens ou rédacteurs de commentaire automatique vous nous amerdez à la fin! ici on parle de football et de problème d'organisation mais vous ramenez tous à macky ou à au président diomaye, vous nous pompez l'aire way
    Si c'est vous que le pays attend pour se développer on est mal barré amoulen ben kham kham loudoul copier coller des commentaire you amoul boop ni queue.

  • image
    Gougnafier il y a 2 jours

    C'est la rupture.

  • image
    Loulou il y a 2 jours

    Il faut porter l'affaire en justice.

  • image
    Loulou il y a 2 jours

    Et réclammer des dommages et intérets.

  • image
    porozet il y a 2 jours

    page 2050

  • image
    But il y a 1 jour

    Thieye tasfep yallanagnou yalla moussale si gui ngourou. Ayy ndiakhoume rekk.

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