Senegal became the first African team to make the round of 16 of the ongoing World Cup Qatar 2022 following a spirited 2-1 win over Ecuador on Tuesday. Yet, ahead of their round 16 game against England on Sunday, the Teranga Lions are in the eye of the storm as far as FIFA is concerned as a result of breaking the rules.According to reports, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse attended the pre-match conference without a player from his squad. As per FIFA rules, the coach must attend with at least one player. But Cisse came alone, a clear violation of regulations. FIFA confirmed the matter will beinvestigated.African Champions Senegal 🇸🇳 progress to the Round of 16 following a 2-1 victory over stubborn Ecuador 🇪🇨. Kalidou Koulibaly with the winning goal and more importantly a striker’s finish. Character. Teranga Lions. 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/mRWx8L3lwq— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) November 29, 2022 “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Senegalese Football Federation due to the potential breaches of article 44 of the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, article 2.7.2 of the Media and Marketing Regulations and article 8.5.3 of the Team Handbook,” it said in an official statement.One day before each of their matches it is mandatory for every team at the tournament to conduct ‘Matchday -1 Press Conference’ in one of two press conference rooms at the World Cup’s main media center. Cisse appeared with Monaco winger Krepin Diatta prior to Senegal’s tournament opener against the Netherlands, and then with captain Kalidou Koulibaly before the clash with Qatar.🇸🇳 Senegal fans from across the African continent were delighted to see the Lions Teranga book a place in the round of 16.#FIFAWorldCup @FootballSenegal @JoueursSN pic.twitter.com/iH1mkjW74B— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) November 29, 2022 However, he wasn’t joined by a player ahead of the Ecuador game, and instead spoke by himself for roughly 40 minutes.FIFA have taken a dim view of that, and on Wednesday morning they confirmed that disciplinary proceedings had been opened. Senegal are now highly likely to be fined by football’s world governing body, especially as a precedent was set on Tuesday when FIFA fined Germany Sh1.3 million.These have to be attended by the team’s coach and a player from the squad, often the captain.
