Former Senegalese football star El-Hadji Diouf has been handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence by a Dakar court for failing to pay court-ordered child support. The ruling, delivered on May 12, 2026, follows a legal battle over unpaid alimony for his daughter.
The case stemmed from a social media post by rapper KiliFeuu, which brought public attention to the unpaid financial obligations. In addition to the suspended sentence, the court ordered Diouf to pay 10 million West African CFA francs (approximately €15,244) in damages to his ex-wife, Valérie Émilie Joséphine Leres Bishop.
His ex-wife had sought compensation for 9 million FCFA in unpaid support spanning from March 2024 to September 2025, along with an additional 559,200 FCFA to cover the child’s meal expenses. The court also upheld a previous 2023 ruling that granted custody of their daughter to the mother while mandating Diouf to pay a monthly allowance of 500,000 FCFA for the child’s upkeep.
With 60 caps and 18 goals for the Senegal national team, Diouf remains a prominent figure in African football history. The suspended sentence allows him to avoid incarceration if he complies with the court’s financial obligations.
