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The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has accused organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 of hindering Senegal’s preparations for Sunday’s final against host nation Morocco, citing security, accommodation, training and ticketing concerns.
FSF, in a statement on Saturday, said it was raising the issues “in the interest of transparency and to defend the interests of the Senegalese national team,” adding that several shortcomings had been observed during preparations for the final.
According to the federation, the Senegalese delegation faced security issues upon arrival in Rabat by train after their semi-final win over Egypt.
“The FSF deplores the clear absence of adequate security measures upon the arrival of the Senegalese delegation at the Rabat train station,” the statement said.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final.”
The federation also raised concerns over hotel arrangements, saying the team was initially lodged in accommodation that did not meet required standards.
“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF reports that it was necessary to file a formal written protest to obtain a favourable outcome,” it said.
“Following this effort, a five-star hotel was finally allocated to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the necessary recovery conditions.”
The FSF said it had formally notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its refusal to train at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
“The Senegalese Football Federation has officially notified CAF of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the statement said.
“This decision is motivated by the fact that these facilities constitute the opposing team’s base camp, which raises a question of sporting fairness.”
It added, “To date, it has not yet received notification of the Senegalese national team’s training site.”
The federation also criticised ticket allocations for Senegalese supporters for the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which has a capacity of about 53,000.
“The official allocation is only two VVIP tickets,” the FSF said, adding that there was no opportunity to purchase additional VIP or VVIP tickets, unlike during the semi-finals.
While the federation said it was able to purchase tickets for supporters within CAF’s authorised limits, it noted that the total allocation of fewer than 3,000 tickets remained insufficient.
“The FSF emphasizes that these quantities, although fully acquired, remain insufficient given the demand and deplores the imposed restrictions that penalize the Senegalese public,” the statement said.
The FSF called on CAF and the local organising committee “to take all immediate corrective measures to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment and security” ahead of the final.
Senegal, which won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, is vying for a second championship. Fifty years after winning the trophy for the first time, Morocco is vying for a second championship.
