Dakar, Senegal — 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, delivered on May 12, 2026, follows a legal dispute involving his daughter’s well-being.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the court ordered Diouf to pay 10 million FCFA (approximately €15,244) in damages to his ex-wife, Valérie Émilie Joséphine Leres Bishop. The compensation covers unpaid alimony totaling 9 million FCFA from March 2024 to September 2025, as well as 559,200 FCFA in meal expenses for their child.
The case stems from a 2023 divorce ruling that granted custody of their daughter to Bishop while mandating Diouf to pay a monthly child support of 500,000 FCFA. Despite the court’s previous directives, Diouf allegedly defaulted on these payments, prompting legal action.
Diouf, a two-time African Footballer of the Year (2001, 2002), has represented Senegal in 60 international matches, scoring 18 goals for the Lions of Teranga.
