Senegal raises alarm over security, ticketing ahead of AFCON final

The Senegalese national team have voiced serious concerns over security, accommodation, training facilities and ticketing arrangements ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

In a strongly worded communiqué issued on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation, FSF, said it was forced to speak out “for the sake of transparency and defence of the interests of the Senegal national team” after what it described as several lapses during preparations for the final.

The statement, released by the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, and the general public, highlighted issues observed since the team’s arrival in Morocco.

According to the federation, there were noticeable shortcomings in security arrangements at the point of arrival, which it said raised concerns for the safety and wellbeing of players and officials.

The FSF also drew attention to problems linked to accommodation and training facilities, noting that the conditions provided fell short of expectations for a competition of such magnitude. It further complained about challenges surrounding ticketing, which it said could negatively affect team officials and supporters.

Senegal said it decided to make its concerns public after repeated observations of what it called “malfunctions,” stressing that the move was not meant to create tension but to ensure fair treatment and proper organisation as the tournament reaches its decisive stage.

The federation urged CAF and the local organisers to urgently address the issues to guarantee a secure and professional environment for the final, in line with international standards expected at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The FSF deplores the clear absence of adequate safety device when the Senegalese delegation arrived at the Rabat railway station,” the communiqué read, warning that the situation exposed players and officials “to a promiscuity and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the standing of a continental final.”

The federation also disclosed challenges surrounding the team’s accommodation, revealing that formal action was required before acceptable arrangements were made.

“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF informs that an official protest by mail was necessary to win the case,” the statement said, adding that “a 5-star hotel was finally awarded to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the required recovery conditions.”

On preparations on the pitch, Senegal rejected the proposed training venue, citing concerns over sporting fairness.

“The FSF has officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the communiqué stated, explaining that the facility serves as “the base camp of the opposing team, which raises a problem of sporting fairness.”

It further noted that, as of the time of the statement, Senegal had “not yet received notification from the training site of the Senegal national team.”

Ticketing issues were another major source of frustration, according to the federation.

“The official endowment is only two VVIP tickets,” the FSF said, lamenting the lack of access to VIP and VVIP tickets for the final, unlike the semi-finals.

While the federation confirmed it had purchased the maximum number of tickets authorised by CAF — 300 Category 1, 850 Category 2 and 1,700 Category 3 — it stressed that “these quantities, although fully acquired, remain insufficient in relation to demand.”

The communiqué concluded with an appeal to the continent’s football authorities.

“The Senegalese Football Federation calls on the CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take all immediate corrective measures to ensure respect for the principles of Fair Play, equal treatment and safety, essential to the success of this African football festival,” the statement said.

Senegal are bidding to add another continental title to their honours when they take to the pitch in the AFCON 2025 final after defeating Egypt in the semi final on Wednesday.

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