Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced an indefinite break from international football following the Teranga Lions' dramatic FIFA World Cup exit to Belgium, saying he will not return to the national team while the current technical staff remain in charge. His decision deepens the crisis surrounding the African champions after a turbulent year on and off the pitch.
Hours after Senegal's agonising 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32, Pape Gueye confirmed on Instagram that he was stepping away from the national team.
"As long as this technical staff are in place, I will be taking a break from the national team," the 27-year-old wrote, adding that he would speak further about the team's elimination at a later stage.
Although Gueye did not explicitly mention head coach Pape Thiaw, his statement was widely interpreted as criticism of the coaching setup.
Collapse against Belgium proves costly
