Omar, known as Pape Ndao, father of footballer Alassane Ndao, former winger for Konyaspor, spoke to L’Observateur in a heartfelt testimony. His son, currently under house arrest in Turkey, is charged in a wide-ranging investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing, facing up to 13 years in prison.
For Omar Ndao, these accusations are baseless and seem to stem from a vendetta, possibly linked to Alassane’s refusal to extend his contract with his Turkish club.
“He’s accused of betting to win 30,000 FCFA while he earns hundreds of millions. It makes no sense,” Omar Ndao said, describing a “real trap” set during his son’s return to Turkey.
This situation has plunged the entire family into deep distress. With bank accounts frozen and unable to support his loved ones, Alassane is prevented from helping those close to him, even though he has always been “very social and generous.”
Omar Ndao shared, “It’s almost 9 PM and I can’t break my fast. I can’t eat anything. Just thinking that he faces up to 13 years in prison, I’m devastated.”
The player’s father is calling on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reminding him that he received a response from the Presidency at the end of January, assuring that the case would be monitored. To date, no concrete results have been achieved.
Omar Ndao also laments the silence of the Senegalese Football Federation: “He has represented the national colors since he was a youth player, he doesn’t deserve to be abandoned.”
Despite this ordeal, the family can count on the support of some of Alassane’s teammates: Mbaye Diagne, Cheikhou Kouyaté, and Pape Cherif Ndiaye, the latter even visiting the family home after Senegal’s victory in Morocco to reassure the player’s mother.
