The 2026-2027 season of Senegal's professional football championships is set to begin on Saturday, October 3, with three matches scheduled in each category for the first day. The Ligue sénégalaise de football professionnel (LSFP) will hold a launch ceremony and press conference at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium on Friday at 10 am. This development comes despite requests for a postponement from several clubs, including Jaraaf de Dakar, AS Pikine, ASC Cambérène, and Sonacos de Diourbel.
The clubs cited issues with the qualification of new recruits, specifically due to a recruitment ban imposed on Jaraaf and AS Pikine by the FIFA Clearing House. Jaraaf's president, Cheikh A. T. Seck, stated that his club had regularized its dossier with the FIFA Clearing House and paid the required fine, but is still awaiting a response from the international body. Seck argued that this situation puts his team at a disadvantage and requested a postponement in the interest of fair play and solidarity among clubs.
AS Pikine's interim president, Malick Cissé, reported a similar situation, stating that the necessary documents had been submitted several months ago, but there has been no progress to date. Despite the challenges, ASC HLM's president, Abdou Aziz Diouf, denied that his club had requested a postponement, calling the information "totally false and unfounded." The LSFP has decided to proceed with the scheduled start date, disregarding the requests for a delay.
The LSFP's decision to push forward with the season has sparked concerns about the readiness of some teams. With the start of the season just days away, clubs are still facing issues with player qualifications. The situation may lead to an uneven playing field, with some teams potentially struggling to field their best lineups.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has been supportive of the clubs in their dealings with the FIFA Clearing House. However, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether the LSFP will reconsider its decision to start the season as planned. The federation's role in resolving the issues faced by the clubs will be crucial in ensuring a smooth and fair season.
The upcoming season will feature several top teams, including Jaraaf de Dakar, AS Pikine, and ASC Cambérène. Fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the season, but the controversy surrounding the qualification issues may overshadow the excitement. The LSFP and the FSF will need to work closely together to address the challenges and ensure that the season is conducted fairly and successfully.
As the season prepares to kick off, all eyes will be on the LSFP and the FSF to see how they manage the situation. The clubs, players, and fans are all hoping for a successful and enjoyable season, but it remains to be seen how the current challenges will be overcome. The situation highlights the complexities and difficulties of organizing a professional sports league in Senegal.
Key points
- The Senegalese professional football season will start on October 3, despite requests for a postponement from several clubs due to player qualification issues.
