RABAT, Morocco — The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has expressed significant concerns regarding the treatment of its national soccer team in Morocco as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco on Sunday.
In a statement released early Saturday morning, the FSF criticized the purported lack of security measures for the team’s arrival in Rabat, issues related to their accommodations, problems with training facilities, and challenges in securing a fair number of tickets for their supporters.
The federation urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and local organizers to take “immediate corrective actions to ensure adherence to principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security, which are essential for the success of this celebration of African football.”
After traveling by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday, Senegal’s players encountered what the federation described as a “clear lack of adequate security measures” upon their arrival.
The FSF stated, “This shortcoming exposed the players and coaching staff to overcrowding and risks that are incompatible with the standards expected for a competition of this significance and the prestige of a continental final.”
It was noted that the federation had to submit a formal complaint before they received proper hotel accommodations upon arriving in Rabat, though they did not elaborate on the initial conditions offered to the team.
The FSF also communicated its “categorical refusal” to conduct team training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex, the venue where the Moroccan team has been training throughout the tournament. Morocco is also scheduled to train there on Saturday.
The federation raised concerns about “sporting fairness” and mentioned that they still had not been informed of an alternate training location for the Senegal team.
According to the media agenda disseminated on Friday, the location for Senegal’s training session on Saturday remained unconfirmed.
The federation expressed worry about ticket availability, noting they were limited to purchasing 2,850 tickets for their supporters, as stipulated by CAF’s regulations.
The FSF described this ticket allocation as “insufficient given the demand” and criticized the imposed limitations, which they believe disadvantage Senegalese fans.
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will host the final, has a capacity of 69,500 spectators, and Morocco has enjoyed robust support in all prior matches, making it likely the final will see a similar turnout.
Morocco aims to secure its second Africa Cup title, ending a 50-year drought, while Senegal, the reigning champions after winning in 2021, also seeks its second title.
In the interest of transparency and to advocate for the Senegalese national team’s welfare, the federation chose to make these complaints public.