Former Senegal stars FURIOUS as World Cup side receive bonuses after failing to reach quarters

There has been controversy in Senegal after President Macky Sall announced the nation’s World Cup stars will be receiving their World Cup bonuses despite failing to reach their pre-tournament target. 

They had been tasked with reaching the quarter finals in Qatar after success at the African Cup of Nations, but were knocked out in the round of 16 after a 3-0 loss to England.

For some ex-players, the decision meant praising mediocrity. In quotes carried by BBC Sport, former Portsmouth and Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara said: ‘If you win you must be rewarded, but if you lose you must learn from it.’ 

The decision was made by Senegalese president Macky Sall after the team were knocked out

The Teranga Lions performed admirably in the group stage in Qatar given they were without star striker Sadio Mane, but were overcome by England in what turned out to be a comfortable win.

There was also frustration among athletes from other sports, as Olympian fencer Ndeye Binta Ndiongue told the BBC: ‘This year, I won the bronze medal at the African championship and the bonuses are yet to come my way.’

She added that, while she understood the importance of the sponsorship money brought in by football, it was ‘frustrating’ to see so much money going to one sport.

Ndiongue also revealed that a continental gold medal is likely to being just ‘£539′ for a Senegalese athlete, while the footballers’ 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 group stage performance

There were also complaints from former triathlete Hamadel Ndiaye, who was ‘disturbed’ at the amount of money given to fans travelling to Qatar given that he had to ‘wait until the last minute’ to find out whether he would be given the funding he needed to compete.

 Senegalese Sports Minister Yakhouba Diattara has hit back at claims of preferential treatment for football, as he said: ‘There is no sport we will not support’.

‘I think the solution is to have a meeting every year between the Olympic National Committee, the government and the different federations to arbitrate.

‘The sports that we believe have a chance of winning medals will receive funds. The others will have to wait.’