The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has alleged that the national team’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final against host nation Morocco on Sunday have been systematically hindered.
The FSF, in a statement released on Saturday, outlined a series of significant logistical failures and what it described as deliberate attempts to undermine “sporting fairness, jeopardising the integrity of the continental showpiece”.
The FSF disclosed that the Senegalese delegation, including players and technical staff, faced a critical security shortage upon their arrival in Rabat via train following their semi-final victory over Egypt in Tangier.
“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wishes to inform the national and international public, as well as the organizing bodies, of its serious concerns regarding several shortcomings observed during the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations final,” the statement read.
“The FSF deplores the clear lack of adequate security measures upon the arrival of the Senegalese delegation at the Rabat train station.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to close proximity and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final.”
The federation revealed that the team’s initial hotel accommodations were substandard, failing to provide the necessary facilities for optimal recovery before the final.
The statement added that only after filing an official written protest was the delegation relocated to an appropriate 5-star hotel.
“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF reports that it was necessary to file an official written protest to obtain a resolution,” it read.
“Following this effort, a 5-star hotel was finally allocated to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the necessary recovery conditions.”
The FSF also notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its “categorical refusal” to use the Mohammed VI Football Complex for its final preparations.
“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the statement added.
“This decision is based on the fact that these facilities constitute the opposing team’s training base, which raises a question of sporting fairness.
“Furthermore, the FSF specifies that, to date, it has not yet received notification of the Senegalese national team’s training site.”
The FSF also raised objections regarding ticket allocation for Senegalese supporters. The statement lamented that for the final at the 53,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Senegal has been allotted fewer than 3,000 tickets.
It added that the federation was granted only two VVIP tickets, with no opportunity to acquire more for Senegalese dignitaries, despite significant demand.
“The FSF emphasizes that these quantities, while fully acquired, remain insufficient given the demand and deplores the imposed restrictions that penalize the Senegalese public,” it said.
