Why Senegal is accusing Morocco of sabotage ahead of the AFCON final
Senegal has accused Morocco, the host of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), of deliberately undermining its preparations ahead of Sunday’s final in Rabat.
In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said a series of logistical and organisational failures had affected the national team’s arrival, training and access to tickets, raising concerns about fairness and safety at Africa’s biggest football event.
Security concerns on arrival
The FSF said the Senegalese delegation was met with inadequate security when it arrived at the Rabat railway station, leaving players and staff exposed to unnecessary risks.
According to the federation, the level of security did not meet the standards expected for a continental final and placed the team in close and unsafe proximity to the public.
Problems with accommodation
Senegal also complained about delays in securing suitable accommodation. The FSF said it was only allocated a five-star hotel after submitting a formal written protest to organisers.
The federation said the delay affected the team’s ability to recover properly ahead of the final.
Dispute over training facilities
Training arrangements have become another major point of contention. Senegal rejected plans to train at the Mohammed VI Complex, arguing that the facility is the Moroccan team’s training base and gives the hosts an unfair advantage.
The FSF said it formally informed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its refusal and, at the time of the statement, had not been given an alternative training venue.
Ticket allocation concerns
Ticket distribution has also added to the tension. Senegal said it received fewer than 3,000 tickets for its supporters at the 53,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The federation said it was allocated just two VVIP tickets and was not allowed to purchase additional VIP or VVIP seats. It warned that the limited ticket numbers would exclude many Senegalese fans and affect the atmosphere of the final.
The FSF has called on CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take urgent action to address the issues and ensure fair treatment for both teams.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
