Senegal face World Cup penalty as FIFA launch probe ahead of England clash

Senegal have been investigated for alleged violation of FIFA rules ahead of their World Cup knockout tie against England on Sunday, according to reports. The Teranga Lions managed to book their place in the last 16 with a crucial win over Ecuador on Tuesday afternoon, with goals from Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly claiming all three points despite Marcos Caicedo firing back for their opponents.

The result set up a tantalizing clash with England for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, with the game set to take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

However, it remains to be seen whether Senegal will face pre-match FIFA sanctions after being investigated for breaching tournament regulations ahead of their victory over Ecuador, according to .

Each team participating in the World Cup must hold a press conference with the manager and one player from the team, usually the captain, at the main media center the day before the matches.

Senegalese boss Aliou Cissé appeared on Monday but was not joined by a player and spoke alone for around 40 minutes, which would be a breach of FIFA rules.

It was confirmed on Wednesday morning that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Senegal as a result, with a statement from FIFA stating: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Senegalese Football Federation in due to potential violations of Article 44 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regulations, Article 2.7.2 of the Media and Marketing Regulations and Article 8.5.3 of the Team Handbook.

JUST IN: Peter Schmeichel in a spicy shot at Richard Keys on the World Cup cover

"The potential violations relate to the mandatory press conference that took place on November 28 before the FIFA World Cup match between Ecuador and Senegal."

Germany have been fined by FIFA for committing the same offense ahead of their recent game against Spain, suggesting Senegal could face a similar punishment from football's governing body worldwide in the next few days.

The excuse given by German boss Hansi Flick was that he wanted all of his players to rest and that he did not want to take any of his team members on the three-hour round trip to the Qatar National Convention Centre, although his reasoning did not save his side from being slapped with a fine of around £8,800.

It remains to be seen whether the disciplinary proceedings against Senegal will affect their preparations for Sunday's game against England, who qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup with a routine win over the country of Wales on Tuesday evening.

NOT TO MISS

England World Cup messages bombarded by relentless Senegalese fans

Man Utd said they could seal Gakpo deal before January window opens

Wales 'put British football to shame' as Bale was destroyed after England loss

Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock shortly after the break with a spectacular free-kick before Phil Foden doubled England's advantage from close range moments later, Rashford continuing to fire home a third to to wrap up the points for the Three Lions and kick Wales out of the tournament.

England boss Gareth Southgate insisted after the full-time whistle that it would be extremely difficult...