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Former Senegal stars are FURIOUS that World Cup 2022 stars will receive bonuses despite failing to reach the quarter-finals after being knocked out by England, arguing ‘If you win, you must be rewarded, but if you lose, you must learn from that’
- Senegal’s World Cup stars to get bonuses despite missing out on quarterfinals
- They were knocked out in the round of 16 in a 3-0 loss to England in Qatar.
- The decision has sparked outrage among former players and athletes
- Diomansy Kamara felt that the bonuses were wrong like: ‘if you lose, you must learn’
There has been controversy in Senegal after President Macky Sall announced that the nation’s World Cup stars will receive their World Cup bonuses despite missing their pre-tournament target.
They were tasked with reaching the quarter-finals in Qatar after success at the Africa Cup of Nations, but were knocked out in the round of 16 after a 3–0 loss to England.
For some former players, the decision meant praising mediocrity. In appointments carried by bbc Sport, Former Portsmouth and Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara said: “If you win you have to be rewarded, but if you lose you have to learn from it.”
Senegal’s World Cup stars to receive bonuses despite failing to reach the quarterfinals
The decision was made by the Senegalese president, Macky Sall, after the elimination of the team.
The Teranga Lions performed admirably in the group stage in Qatar, as they were without their star striker Sadio Mane, but were outclassed by England in what turned out to be a comfortable victory.
There was also frustration among athletes in other sports, as Olympic fencer Ndeye Binta Ndiongue told the BBC: ‘This year, I won the bronze medal in the African championship and the bonuses are still to come.’
He added that while he understood the importance of sponsorship money that football generates, it was “frustrating” to see so much money go into one sport.
Ndiongue also revealed that a continental gold medal is likely to be just ‘£539’ for a Senegalese athlete, while player bonuses are expected to be much higher.
Diomansy Kamara (left) felt the bonuses were wrong as: ‘if you lose, you must learn’
Senegal lost 3-0 to England in the round of 16 after an impressive performance in the group stage.
There were also complaints from former triathlete Hamadel Ndiaye, who was “disturbed” by the amount of money given to fans traveling to Qatar since he had to “wait until the last minute” to find out if they would give him the funding he needed to compete.
Senegal’s Sports Minister Yakhouba Diattara responded to claims of preferential treatment for football, saying: “There is no sport we don’t support.”
‘I think the solution is to have a meeting every year between the National Olympic Committee, the government and the different federations to arbitrate.
‘Sports that we believe have a chance of winning medals will receive funding. The others will have to wait.