The Senegalese Football Federation issued a strongly worded statement late Friday night, criticizing the “Makhzen” system and alleging organizational failures by the Africa Cup of Nations organizing committee. The statement informed the public and international bodies of “serious concerns regarding several imbalances observed during the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations final.”
The federation condemned the “clear absence of adequate security arrangements upon the Senegalese delegation’s arrival at the Rabat train station.” It noted that this lack of security exposed players and technical staff to severe overcrowding and risks inconsistent with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the status of a continental final.
Regarding hotel logistics, the Senegalese Federation stated it was forced to submit a formal protest letter to secure its rights. Following this action, a five-star hotel facility was allocated to the “Teranga Lions,” ensuring the necessary recovery conditions.
The federation also confirmed it officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex. This decision was based on the fact that these facilities serve as the base camp for the opposing team, raising concerns regarding sporting fairness.
Finally, the statement addressed the issue of tickets for the final match, citing the failure to receive its official quota and the inability to purchase VIP and VVIP tickets. The federation added that it managed to purchase 300 first-class tickets, 850 second-class tickets, and 1,700 third-class tickets, considering these quantities insufficient for its large fan base.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw commented on the situation, stating that “things almost turned into a disaster.” He added, “The poor organization put the players in real danger, and things could have ended catastrophically. This is unacceptable and threatens the global image of African football.”
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