AFCON: Senegal raise concerns over ‘lack of fair play’ ahead of final with Morocco

The Senegalese Football Federation has expressed strong concerns about how its national football team is being treated in Morocco ahead of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

The federation, known as FSF, issued a statement early Saturday morning criticising an alleged lack of security arrangements for the team’s arrival in Rabat, problems with the team’s accommodation, issues with the training facilities, and difficulties in obtaining a fair ticket allocation for its supporters.

It called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organizing committee to “immediately take every corrective measure to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security indispensable for the success of this celebration of African football.”

Senegal’s players traveled by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday, but found what the federation said was a mistake”clear lack of adequate security measures” upon their arrival.

“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 said.

The federation stated that it had to file a formal written complaint to secure sufficient hotel accommodations for the squad upon arrival in Rabat. It did not explain the state of the initial accommodations supplied to the team.

The federation said it informed CAF of its “categorical refusal” to hold team training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex, where the Morocco squad has been located during the tournament. Morocco will also train on Saturday.

The federation said the ticketing situation was “concerning.” It was only able to purchase 2,850 tickets for its supporters as per the maximum limits authorized by CAF.

The federation said the allocation is “insufficient given the demand” and that it “deplores the imposed restrictions, which penalize the Senegalese public.”

The capacity of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which is hosting the final, is 69,500 fans. Morocco has been buoyed by vociferous support in all its games so far. It’s unlikely the final will be any different.

Morocco is bidding to end a 50-year wait for its second Africa Cup title. Senegal, which won the 2021 trophy, is also going for its second title.

The federation said it was making its complaints public “In the interest of transparency and to defend the interests of the Senegalese national team.”