- Senegal Protest Security, Logistics Failures Ahead of AFCON Final
- Federation rejects training venue over fairness concerns
- Ticket allocation for final described as inadequate
The Senegalese national team have formally raised concerns over security arrangements, accommodation, training facilities and ticketing ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation FSF said it was compelled to speak out for transparency and to protect the interests of the national team after what it described as several malfunctions observed during preparations for the final.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the statement, released by the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions and addressed to the Confederation of African Football CAF and the general public, highlighted security lapses during the team’s arrival in Morocco.
“The FSF deplores the clear absence of adequate safety device when the Senegalese delegation arrived at the Rabat railway station,” the communiqué read. It warned that the situation exposed players and officials “to a promiscuity and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the standing of a continental final.”
The federation also disclosed issues relating to accommodation, noting that formal intervention was required before acceptable lodging was provided.
“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF informs that an official protest by mail was necessary to win the case,” the statement said, adding that “a 5 star hotel was finally awarded to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the required recovery conditions.”
On preparations, Senegal rejected the proposed training venue on grounds of sporting fairness.
“The FSF has officially notified the Confederation of African Football of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the communiqué stated, explaining that the facility serves as the base camp of the opposing team and raises concerns about fairness.
The federation further revealed that, as of the time of issuing the statement, Senegal had not been officially informed of an alternative training venue.
Ticketing was also identified as a major concern ahead of the final.
“The official endowment is only two VVIP tickets,” the FSF said, lamenting the limited access to VIP and VVIP tickets for the final, unlike the semi final stage.
While confirming that Senegal had purchased the maximum number of tickets authorised by CAF, including 300 Category 1, 850 Category 2 and 1,700 Category 3 tickets, the federation stressed that the allocation remained insufficient to meet demand.
The communiqué ended with a direct appeal to CAF and the Local Organising Committee.
“The Senegalese Football Federation calls on the CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take all immediate corrective measures to ensure respect for the principles of Fair Play, equal treatment and safety, essential to the success of this African football festival,” the statement said.
Senegal are aiming to secure another continental title when they feature in the AFCON 2025 final after defeating Egypt in the semi final on Wednesday.
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