Senegal Raise Concerns Ahead Of AFCON Final As CAF Responds

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has raised serious concerns over logistical and organisational issues ahead of the African Cup of Nations final, prompting a swift response from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In a statement issued on January 16 in Rabat, the FSF said it had observed “several dysfunctions” during preparations for the showpiece match and felt compelled, in the interests of transparency and protecting the Senegal national team, to alert both national and international stakeholders.

Among the issues highlighted was a lack of adequate security on the arrival of the Senegalese delegation at Rabat railway station. The federation said the absence of a proper safety and welcome system exposed players and staff to unnecessary risks, which it described as incompatible with the standards expected of a continental final.

The FSF also detailed difficulties related to accommodation, revealing that it was only after lodging an official written protest that the team was allocated a five-star hotel, which it said was necessary to ensure appropriate recovery conditions. Concerns were also raised about training arrangements, with Senegal refusing to train at the Mohammed VI Complex on the grounds that it serves as the base camp for the opposing team, a situation the FSF argued undermined sporting equity. At the time of issuing its statement, the federation said it had not yet received confirmation of an alternative training site.

Ticketing was another point of contention. The FSF said its official allocation amounted to just two VVIP tickets and lamented the lack of opportunity to purchase additional VIP and VVIP tickets, unlike during the semi-finals. While the federation confirmed it had purchased the maximum number of tickets permitted for supporters — 300 in Category 1, 850 in Category 2 and 1,700 in Category 3 — it said these numbers were insufficient to meet demand and criticised restrictions it claimed disadvantaged Senegalese fans.

The federation called on CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take immediate corrective measures to uphold principles of fair play, equal treatment and security ahead of the final.

CAF responded by reaffirming its commitment to fairness, transparency and strict adherence to its regulations. In its statement, the continental governing body said that throughout the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, all teams had been subjected to the same conditions, in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee.

Addressing the specific concerns raised by Senegal, CAF said the FSF had been given the opportunity to select its team hotel ahead of the final and that this request had been granted. CAF added that when Senegal expressed dissatisfaction with the initial training facility, it immediately worked with the Local Organising Committee to provide an alternative, a matter it said had since been resolved.

On ticketing, CAF stated that the FSF had received its quota in line with competition regulations. The organisation also noted that FSF president Abdoulaye Fall had been in regular contact with CAF leadership and the Local Organising Committee throughout the process.

CAF concluded by wishing both finalists the best of luck in the match, which it said would be broadcast to audiences in 180 territories worldwide.

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