The U15 Lionceaux, fresh champions of the African School Football Championship held in Zimbabwe, recently received symbolic payments of 100,000 FCFA each. This move sparked widespread discussion regarding the nature and purpose of these funds.
FSF addresses controversy with official statement
In response to growing queries, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) issued a formal clarification. The governing body emphasized that, under the regulations set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), no direct cash prizes are awarded to individual players in school-level competitions.
The FSF further explained that the $300,000 total prize allocated to the winning team is not distributed as personal bonuses nor paid directly to the Federation. Instead, the funds are managed by the CAF and allocated toward structured projects in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of National Education and the FSF. These initiatives focus on:
- Procuring sports equipment
- Upgrading school football infrastructure
- Implementing long-term training programs to strengthen youth football development
Payments cover travel expenses, not prize money
The Federation clarified that the amounts given to players were strictly meant to cover transportation costs, ensuring their safe and comfortable return to their families after the competition.
