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.
Senegal are bidding for their second-ever title after their
first in 2021, while Morocco are seeking a second title 50 years after their
maiden win.
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