The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) finds itself at the center of yet another fierce controversy. While discussions about the Lions’ participation in the 2026 World Cup are still ongoing, another issue threatens the governing body of Senegalese football. This time, it’s not a sports matter but a financial dispute with a hotel that hosted the national women’s team in preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The owner of Axil Hotel, Gorgui Ndoye, claims to have suffered significant damages and is now threatening to take the matter to court.
According to information reported by L’Observateur, Axil Hotel was chosen to accommodate the Senegalese Lionesses and their staff from July 13 to 23, a ten-day stay meant to prepare for the women’s AFCON. After receiving the purchase order from the Federation, the owner explains that he immediately mobilized all necessary resources to provide the best possible conditions for the delegation. Twenty-six rooms, including twelve singles, were prepared, and specific food supplies were ordered to meet the players’ dietary needs.
Gorgui Ndoye insists he showed great trust in the FSF. Unlike the usual practices at his establishment, where reservations are paid for before guests arrive, he claims he agreed to defer payment due to the Federation’s status. “After receiving the purchase order, I immediately prepared the rooms (26 in total, including 12 singles). For the players, we naturally bought products suited to their diets. Usually, we pay before entering the premises, but since it’s the Federation, we thought it was necessary to let the delegation rest,” he recounts.
However, the situation reportedly changed after just two nights. According to the hotel owner, the Lionesses and their staff left abruptly, without prior notice and without making any payment. This decision caught the entire hotel staff off guard. “They left suddenly, without paying or notifying us,” laments Gorgui Ndoye, who believes this approach has caused him significant financial losses.
The Axil Hotel owner explains that his establishment primarily operates through seminars and hosting professional clients. To accommodate the Senegalese delegation, he claims he blocked his rooms for the entire duration of their stay, turning down several booking requests. He adds that the large quantities of food specially ordered for the athletes cannot be offered to his regular clientele. Some of this stock will have to be thrown away or repurposed, which he says represents a considerable loss of income.
In total, Gorgui Ndoye estimates his damages at 25 million CFA francs. Initially, he preferred to resolve the issue through dialogue, discussing it with Walimata Sèye, the head of women’s football development at the FSF. However, the discussions did not lead to any agreement. When contacted by L’Observateur, she simply stated that she did not wish to comment publicly on the matter.
According to the hotel owner, the FSF official offered him a settlement that amounted to only 30% of the claimed amount. He considers this offer grossly insufficient. “The 30% barely covers the catering. I cannot accept that. What about the blocked accommodation and closed facilities? You owe me 25 million, pay at least 75% and I can drop the rest,” he asserts. He also reveals that after promising him a follow-up, the Federation ultimately informed him that the delegation had been moved to the Fleur de Lys hotel.
Accommodation of the Lionesses: “They left the hotel abruptly without paying or notifying us”: Axil Hotel demands nearly 25 million from the FSF https://t.co/9GKI3AQhTD pic.twitter.com/szuzqGqJQH
— wiwsport (@wiwsport) July 20, 2026
Due to the lack of agreement between the two parties, Gorgui Ndoye states that he will officially file a complaint with the police or the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC). Legal action could then be initiated, with all the consequences that could entail for the Senegalese Football Federation. This new issue arises in an already tense context for the FSF and is likely to fuel further criticism regarding the management of certain administrative and logistical matters.
