The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally raised serious concerns over what it describes as major organisational lapses ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final, citing security risks, accommodation issues, training ground fairness, and ticketing constraints.
In a strongly worded statement, the FSF criticised the lack of adequate security during the Senegal national team’s arrival at the Rabat train station. According to the federation, players and officials were exposed to severe crowding, with insufficient security controls in place, creating what it called an unacceptable risk level for a team preparing for a continental final.
The federation also revealed that it was forced to lodge an official protest to secure suitable accommodation for the squad. FSF said the initial hotel arrangements did not meet the standards required for player recovery and performance at this stage of the competition. Only after the protest was a five-star hotel allocated to the Senegal delegation, ensuring appropriate rest and preparation conditions.
Concerns extended to training logistics. FSF confirmed it officially refused to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, arguing that the venue serves as the base camp for Senegal’s opponents and therefore compromises sporting fairness. As of the date of the statement, the federation said it had still not been informed of Senegal’s designated training site, further complicating final preparations.
Ticketing arrangements were also flagged as a major issue. FSF disclosed that it had been allocated only two official VVIP tickets for the final, a number it described as disproportionate and disrespectful for a federation contesting the tournament’s showpiece match. While the federation independently purchased tickets for supporters, including 300 Category 1, 850 Category 2, and 1,700 Category 3 tickets, it said the total allocation remains insufficient, with additional restrictions disproportionately disadvantaging Senegalese fans.
The FSF stressed that its concerns are not about preferential treatment but about basic standards of security, equity, and professionalism expected at an AFCON final. It warned that such organisational shortcomings risk undermining the credibility of Africa’s flagship football competition at its most visible moment.
As pressure mounts, football stakeholders across the continent will be watching closely to see how organisers respond and whether corrective measures are implemented ahead of kickoff.
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