The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has issued a strongly worded statement expressing serious concerns regarding the organization of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025, alleging deliberate attempts to undermine their preparations. The statement, released late Friday, details a series of incidents the FSF claims demonstrate a lack of fair play and potentially compromise the integrity of the tournament.
The FSF highlighted significant security lapses upon the Senegalese delegation’s arrival at the Rabat train station. The statement asserts that inadequate security measures exposed players and staff to excessive crowding and potential dangers, conditions deemed unacceptable for a competition of this magnitude. This lack of security, according to the FSF, falls far short of the standards expected for a continental final.
Furthermore, the FSF raised concerns about hotel accommodations. Initially, the Senegalese team was not provided with lodging befitting their status. Only after lodging a formal complaint were they allocated a 5-star hotel, ensuring adequate recovery facilities for the players. The statement indicated that this required significant effort on the part of the federation to secure their rightful entitlements.
A particularly contentious issue is the designated training facilities. The FSF has formally notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of their categorical refusal to train at the Mohammed VI Complex. Their refusal stems from the fact that this facility serves as the primary training base for the opposing team, creating a clear conflict of interest and raising serious questions about sporting fairness.
Finally, the FSF addressed the issue of match tickets, expressing dissatisfaction with their official allocation and difficulties in acquiring VIP and VVIP tickets. While they managed to purchase 300 first-class, 850 second-class, and 1700 third-class tickets, the federation believes this is insufficient to meet the demand from their passionate supporters. Senegal’s coach, Papi Thiaw, echoed these concerns, stating that the organizational shortcomings nearly resulted in a disaster and put the players at real risk.
