DZWatch Exclusive: The President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, has leveled serious accusations against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Moroccan Football Federation following the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. Fall alleges undue influence and unfair treatment during the tournament, particularly in the lead-up to the decisive match.
In a strongly worded statement, Fall claimed that Morocco exerts significant control over CAF decision-making processes. He suggested that this influence played a role in several controversial aspects of the final, creating an uneven playing field for the Senegalese team.
Specific grievances outlined by Fall include issues surrounding the Senegalese team’s accommodation. He described the initial hotel assigned to the squad as unsuitable, citing noise and location concerns. The FSF formally requested a change, but Fall claims their concerns were initially ignored, contributing to pre-match tension.
Furthermore, Fall raised concerns about training facilities. The Senegalese team reportedly refused to share a training complex with the Moroccan national team, viewing it as a compromise of fairness. While intervention from Moroccan FA President Fouzi Lekjaa attempted to resolve the situation, disagreements persisted until the day before the final.
However, the most significant point of contention, according to Fall, was the handling of match officiating. He criticized the late announcement of the referee for the final, arguing that it deprived Senegal of its right to potentially object to the selection. Fall implied that this delay was deliberate, intended to prevent any formal challenge before the game.
“The final was marred with pressure and violations” Fall stated to DZWatch.
These accusations from the Senegalese FA President are likely to ignite further debate and scrutiny surrounding the organization and fairness of AFCON tournaments. It remains to be seen how CAF and the Moroccan FA will respond to these serious allegations. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
