Senegal U15 champions receive transport allowance, not prize money
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has addressed recent speculation regarding the 100,000 FCFA payments made to the U15 national team following their triumph at the African School Football Championship.
What the 100,000 FCFA payments actually covered
A week after the victorious Lionceaux U15 squad returned from Zimbabwe with their trophy, reports emerged about each player receiving an envelope containing 100,000 FCFA. The revelation sparked widespread debate about the nature of these payments.
FSF clarifies the payments align with CAF regulations
The FSF issued an official statement to clear up the confusion. According to the federation, the payments were not prize money as some had assumed. Rather, they represented a transport allowance to cover the players’ safe and comfortable return to their families.
The FSF emphasized that the 300,000 USD total prize money awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to the winning team is not distributed directly to federations or players. Instead, the funds are allocated by CAF for broader development purposes in collaboration with Senegal’s Ministry of National Education and the FSF. These include:
- Purchasing sports equipment
- Developing football infrastructure
- Implementing educational programs to strengthen school football in Senegal
Ensuring fair and transparent financial practices
The federation reiterated its commitment to transparency and adherence to CAF regulations. The 100,000 FCFA distributed to each player was strictly intended to facilitate their travel home, not as a bonus or reward for their victory. This measure was implemented to prioritize the players’ well-being during their journey.
