2025 AFCON: ‘No fairness,’ Senegal accuse Morocco of sabotage ahead of final
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has claimed that preparations for the Super Lions ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against hosts Morocco on Sunday have been deliberately disrupted.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the FSF listed a number of major logistical lapses and actions it said were aimed at undermining “sporting fairness, jeopardising the integrity of the continental showpiece”.
According to the federation, the Senegalese delegation—comprising players and technical officials—encountered a serious lack of security on arrival in Rabat by train after their semi-final win over Egypt in Tangier.
“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wishes to inform the national and international public, as well as the organizing bodies, of its serious concerns regarding several shortcomings observed during the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations final,” the statement read.
“The FSF deplores the clear lack of adequate security measures upon the arrival of the Senegalese delegation at the Rabat train station.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to close proximity and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final.”
The FSF further disclosed that the team was initially lodged in an unsuitable hotel that did not meet the standards required for proper rest and recovery ahead of the final.
It stated that the situation was only resolved after a formal written complaint was submitted, leading to the delegation’s relocation to a more suitable five-star facility.
“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF reports that it was necessary to file an official written protest to obtain a resolution,” the statement read.
“Following this effort, a 5-star hotel was finally allocated to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the necessary recovery conditions.”
The federation also said it had formally informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its “categorical refusal” to train at the Mohammed VI Football Complex ahead of the final.
“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the statement added.
“This decision is based on the fact that these facilities constitute the opposing team’s training base, which raises a question of sporting fairness.
“Furthermore, the FSF specifies that, to date, it has not yet received notification of the Senegalese national team’s training site.”
In addition, the FSF complained about ticket allocations for Senegalese supporters, noting that fewer than 3,000 tickets were made available to Senegal fans for the final at the 53,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The federation also revealed that it received only two VVIP tickets and was not given the option to purchase additional ones for Senegalese dignitaries, despite high demand.
“The FSF emphasizes that these quantities, while fully acquired, remain insufficient given the demand and deplores the imposed restrictions that penalize the Senegalese public,” it said.
Senegal are aiming to secure their second AFCON title, having won their first in 2021, while Morocco are chasing a second crown, 50 years after lifting the trophy for the first time.