Former Senegalese football star El-Hadji Diouf has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence by the Dakar Magistrate’s Court for failing to meet his child support obligations. The ruling, delivered on May 12, 2026, follows a legal dispute over unpaid alimony for his daughter.
Legal consequences and financial penalties
The court also ordered the 45-year-old football legend to pay 10 million West African CFA francs (approximately €15,244) in damages to his ex-wife, Valérie Émilie Joséphine Leres Bishop. The compensation covers unpaid arrears of 9 million FCFA from March 2024 to September 2025, as well as 559,200 FCFA in meal expenses for their child.
Ongoing custody and financial obligations
In July 2023, the Senegalese courts had already ruled on the couple’s divorce, granting custody of their daughter to the mother while imposing a monthly alimony payment of 500,000 FCFA on Diouf. Despite this prior judgment, the former international footballer did not meet his financial responsibilities, prompting further legal action.
El-Hadji Diouf, a two-time African Ballon d’Or winner (2001 and 2002), has earned 60 caps and scored 18 goals for Senegal’s national team, the Lions of Teranga.