By Frank Ulom
TANGIER (CONVERSEER) – The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has released a strong statement condemning the unfair treatment and disrespect by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Morocco, host nation of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to the statement signed by the General Secretariat on Friday, 16th January 2026, the football association decried a lack of security and poor accommodation, among others.
It also alleged that CAF restricted Senegalese fans from buying tickets, only allowing them 2000 tickets for a 69000 capacity stadium and making them train right opposite the Moroccan lodge, leaving their tactics open to monitoring. They rejected it, and CAF didn’t provide another facility.
Read the full statement below as translated from French into English:
COMMUNIQUÉ
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wishes to inform national and international public opinion, as well as the organising authorities, of its serious concerns regarding several shortcomings observed during preparations for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
In the interest of transparency and in defence of the interests of the Senegal national team, the FSF wishes to clarify the following points:
1. Security arrangements and reception
The FSF regrets the clear absence of adequate security arrangements upon the arrival of the Senegalese delegation at the Rabat railway station. This shortcoming exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the stature of a continental final.
2. Accommodation of the National Team
Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF states that it was necessary to lodge an official protest by written correspondence in order to obtain a favourable outcome. Following this step, a five-star hotel was eventually allocated to the Lions, thereby ensuring the required conditions for recovery.
3. Training venue and pitch inspection
The FSF officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex. This decision is based on the fact that the facility serves as the base camp of the opposing team, raising an issue of sporting fairness. Furthermore, the FSF specifies that, as of today, it has not yet received notification of the training site allocated to the Senegal national team.
4. Ticketing and stadium access
With regard to ticketing, the situation remains worrying. The FSF notes that the official allocation consists of only two VVIP tickets and regrets the absence of any possibility to purchase VIP and VVIP tickets, as was the case during the semi-finals.
However, the Federation was able to purchase tickets for its supporters within the maximum limits officially authorised by CAF, namely: 300 Category 1 tickets, 850 Category 2 tickets, and 1,700 Category 3 tickets. The FSF emphasises that these quantities, although fully secured, remain insufficient in view of demand and regrets the restrictions imposed, which penalise Senegalese supporters.
The Senegalese Football Federation calls on CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take all immediate corrective measures necessary to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security, which are essential to the success of this celebration of African football.
Done in Tangier, on 16 January 2026
The General Secretariat
Communiqué FSF : Préoccupations relatives à l’organisation de la finale de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations 2025 👇 pic.twitter.com/dLvIUgUPqY
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) January 16, 2026
Converseer reports that Senegal are playing Morocco in the AFCON final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, on Sunday, 18th January 2026, at 8:00 PM (WAT).
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