Senegalese Football Federation President Abdoulaye Fall has revealed a series of serious organisational concerns surrounding Senegal’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, alleging attempts by Moroccan authorities and CAF to undermine the team’s preparation.
According to Fall, tensions between Senegal and host nation Morocco began long before the final, citing disputes over accommodation, training facilities, security, ticket allocation and match organisation.
Fall claimed Senegal were initially denied clarity over their hotel arrangements in Rabat, prompting concerns serious enough to involve Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We asked them about the hotel where we would stay, but they refused to tell us,” Fall said. “When we finally found out, it was clear a team of Senegal’s calibre could not stay there. It was in the heart of the city, surrounded by noise.”
The federation also rejected plans for the team to train at Morocco’s Mohammed VI Sports Complex, the national team’s base.
“They wanted to force us to train at their main camp,” Fall said. “The complex is modern, but if you train there, you are completely exposed. They will know every detail.”
Fall further alleged that upon arrival in Rabat, the Senegalese delegation was left without adequate security or logistical support, forcing him to intervene personally at the highest levels of CAF and the Moroccan federation.
He disclosed that a late-night call from Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa eventually led to improved security arrangements, with checkpoints installed several kilometres from the team hotel.
Another major grievance involved ticket allocation, with Fall claiming Senegal received only three tickets for the entire delegation, while Morocco had secured the bulk of the allocation.
Refereeing also remained a major concern, with Fall alleging CAF deliberately delayed announcing the match officials to prevent scrutiny.
“We had already prepared a letter of protest,” he revealed. “During the final match, we submitted it to CAF while still inside the stadium.”
Fall concluded by insisting Senegal would never accept such conditions again, regardless of the opponent.
“These things are non-negotiable,” he said.
Neither CAF nor the Moroccan Football Federation has issued an official response, while recent claims of possible food poisoning affecting Senegalese players before the final have further heightened scrutiny of the tournament’s organisation.
