The former Senegalese football star, El-Hadji Diouf, has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence by the Dakar Magistrates’ Court for failing to pay court-ordered child support. The ruling was delivered on May 12, 2026, following legal proceedings initiated by his former spouse.
The high-profile case stems from Diouf’s failure to meet his financial obligations toward his daughter, which led to a court-mandated payment of 500,000 FCFA (approximately €762) per month for the child’s upbringing. These payments were established in July 2023 as part of the divorce settlement, with the mother granted full custody.
Despite the court’s earlier order, Diouf accumulated arrears totaling 9 million FCFA (around €13,720) between March 2024 and September 2025. Additionally, his ex-wife sought compensation for 559,200 FCFA in meal expenses incurred during this period. The court ruled in her favor, ordering Diouf to pay an additional 10 million FCFA (approximately €15,244) in damages.
Diouf, a two-time African Footballer of the Year (2001 and 2002), has a distinguished career with 60 caps and 18 goals for Senegal’s national team, the Lions of Teranga. This legal setback adds to his public profile amid ongoing financial disputes.
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