As the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal approaches, a storm of controversy has erupted, overshadowing the match itself with allegations of inadequate security during the Senegalese team's arrival in Rabat. The uproar, fueled by the Senegal Football Federation's grievances, highlights a paradoxical scenario where the federation's own actions may have contributed to the very chaos they criticize. DR ‹ › On the eve of the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, a controversy has surfaced, shifting focus from the game itself to off-field organizational issues. The row follows a statement by the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) questioning the security measures in place during the team's arrival at Rabat-Agdal high-speed rail station on Friday, after traveling from Tangier. ?? The Lions' supporters came to welcome their team at Rabat Agdal station.#CAN2025 #AFCON2025 #SENMAR pic.twitter.com/QO1QCCpT1o — Brut Afrique (@BrutAfrique) January 16, 2026 Videos circulating on social media show a police presence that appeared overwhelmed by the large number of Senegalese supporters gathered at the station. However, no incidents were reported. On the contrary, the atmosphere was largely festive, with a Moroccan troupe even performing to create a friendly and welcoming mood among the fans. It is also worth noting that several national teams traveled by high-speed train during AFCON without encountering any particular issues. Morocco itself had done so months earlier, without the need for a heavy police deployment. ? Departure of the national team for Tangier ?? pic.twitter.com/eyccmz82rg — Ar ?? (@Maroc12s) November 13, 2025 The origin of the controversy Why, then, did the Senegalese federation issue a communiqué listing a series of grievances? A crucial detail is notably absent from the FSF's account. A few hours before the team's arrival, the federation had posted, on its official account, the exact time and location of the Senegalese delegation's arrival at Rabat-Agdal station. This sensitive logistical information, made public, inevitably led to hundreds of supporters gathering both inside and outside the station. Curiously, that post has since been deleted from the federation's X account, though it remains accessible on its official website. FSF Statement: Concerns Regarding the Organization of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final ? pic.twitter.com/dLvIUgUPqY — Team Senegal (@GaindeYi) January 16, 2026 This omission weakens the coherence of the Senegalese complaint, especially since earlier that same day, the team attended Friday prayers at a mosque in Tangier, mingling with the crowd afterward without any large security deployment. A self-triggered crowd framed as a security threat? Speaking at a press conference this morning, Senegal's head coach voiced his anger, describing the situation as «abnormal» and claiming that the players had been «put in danger» at the station, adding that «anything could have happened». He placed the episode within a broader narrative about Africa's image and the credibility of AFCON, recalling recurring debates over the tournament's international recognition. The tone was solemn, yet it continued to sidestep the initial trigger of the situation: a public, uncoordinated call issued by the federation itself. According to the videos reviewed, the security setup included several police vehicles, and officers had formed a corridor to allow the Senegalese delegation to pass, before being overtaken by crowd movements. Nevertheless, no incidents, no breaches of public order, and no threats to the delegation's safety were reported, according to information obtained by Yabiladi. A string of grievances aimed at CAF and Morocco On the logistical front, the other complaints raised by the FSF are also unconvincing. Accommodation in Rabat? Two hotels were offered, as was the case for all teams. Senegal freely chose the Amphitrite Palace in Skhirat, about 20 kilometers from Rabat, rather than the centrally located four-star Hotel Rihab. As for training facilities, the Mohammed VI Football Complex had been scheduled, but the FSF requested an alternative venue to avoid training near the Moroccan staff, who also use the complex, like many teams during AFCON. The Senegalese federation instead opted for an auxiliary pitch at the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, which was subsequently allocated to them. Then came the ticket controversy, affecting Senegalese supporters for the first time, while Moroccan fans have been raising the same issue since the opening match, as demand has vastly exceeded supply. The FSF acknowledged receiving around 3,000 tickets across various categories (1, 2, 3, VIP, and VVIP). According to our sources at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the regulatory 5% quota was fully respected. All remaining tickets were sold online within minutes, nearly two months ago. A paradoxical conclusion Ultimately, the controversy boils down to a striking paradox: a federation complaining that its players were surrounded by their own supporters, supporters who gathered as a direct result of a communiqué issued by that very federation. Even more puzzling is the decision to publicly raise such a sensitive security issue without prior coordination with Moroccan authorities or recourse to established diplomatic channels. Was this a case of haste, or an attempt to shift some of the sporting, media, and public pressure ahead of the final, particularly from frustrated fans unable to secure tickets? Senegal closes the chapter In a last-minute development, Senegal has expressed satisfaction and officially put an end to the controversy.
