The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally raised serious concerns over security, accommodation, training arrangements and ticketing ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final set for Sunday in Rabat.

In a statement issued in the early hours of Saturday morning, the FSF said several shortcomings were observed in the build-up to the continental showpiece, prompting the federation to alert both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee.

The federation revealed that the Senegal national team delegation faced inadequate security upon arrival at the Rabat railway station, exposing players and technical staff to overcrowding and potential safety risks. The FSF described the situation as falling short of the standards expected for a competition of AFCON’s stature.

Concerns were also raised over the team’s accommodation. According to the FSF, an official protest had to be lodged before a suitable five-star hotel was eventually assigned to the reigning African champions, ensuring appropriate recovery conditions for the players.

The statement further disclosed that Senegal refused to train at the Mohammed VI Complex after notifying CAF, citing concerns over sporting fairness as the facility serves as the base camp of the opposing team. The federation added that, as of the date of the statement, it had not yet received confirmation of an alternative training venue.

Insufficient tickets for Senegalese

Ticketing issues were also highlighted, with the FSF describing the situation as “worrying.” The federation said it was allocated only two VVIP tickets and was not given the opportunity to purchase additional VIP or VVIP tickets, unlike during the semi-final stage. While Senegal was able to acquire the maximum number of supporter tickets permitted by CAF, the federation noted that the allocation remained insufficient given the high demand from Senegalese fans.

“The Federation was able to purchase tickets for its supporters up to the maximum limits officially authorized by CAF, namely: 300 tickets in Category 1, 850 in Category 2, and 1,700 in Category 3. The FSF emphasizes that these quantities, although fully acquired, remain insufficient in view of demand and regrets the restrictions imposed, which penalize the Senegalese public,” read the statement.

The FSF has called on CAF and the Local Organizing Committee to take immediate corrective measures to guarantee fair play, equal treatment and adequate security ahead of the final, stressing that these principles are essential to the success of African football’s flagship tournament.

“The Senegalese Football Federation calls on CAF and the Local Organizing Committee to take all immediate corrective measures to ensure respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security, which are essential to the success of this celebration of African football.”

The local organising committee and CAF have not responded to the complaints at the time of this publication.

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