The Senegalese national football team has formally raised alarm over what it described as serious organisational and security lapses ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation said it was compelled to speak out after encountering multiple challenges during the team’s preparations in Morocco.
The federation explained that the concerns bordered on safety, accommodation, training arrangements and ticket distribution.
“We are making this representation in the interest of transparency and in defence of the Senegal national team,” the statement noted.
According to the FSF, security arrangements during the team’s arrival were inadequate.
“The absence of a proper safety structure at the Rabat railway station exposed our players and officials to unnecessary risks, which is unacceptable for a continental final,” the federation said.
The body also revealed that it had to lodge a formal protest before acceptable hotel accommodation was secured for the team.
“An official complaint was required before suitable lodging was provided, and only then was a five-star hotel made available to guarantee proper recovery conditions,” the statement added.
On training logistics, Senegal rejected the initial venue proposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), arguing that it gave the opposing team an unfair advantage.
“We cannot train at the Mohammed VI Complex, which serves as the base camp of our opponents. This raises serious concerns about sporting fairness,” the FSF stated.
The federation further disclosed that it had yet to receive confirmation of an alternative training site.
Ticketing was another area of concern, with the team saying it received only two VVIP tickets for the final.
“Our official allocation is extremely limited. Unlike previous matches, we have not been granted access to sufficient VIP and VVIP tickets,” the federation said.
Although the FSF confirmed that it purchased the maximum number of tickets allowed by CAF, it noted that demand far exceeded supply.
The statement concluded with an appeal to CAF and the Local Organising Committee to urgently address the issues.
“We call on the authorities to take immediate steps to uphold the principles of safety, equal treatment and fair play, which are vital to the success of this tournament,” it said.
Senegal, who defeated Egypt in the semi-finals, are aiming to secure another continental crown in the AFCON 2025 final.
