Senegalese football leader accuses host Morocco of poor conduct in AFCON
Abdoulaye Fall, who leads the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), expressed strong disapproval towards Morocco and the Confederation of African Football during an event on Sunday, exactly one week following the disputed conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations.
In the decisive match, Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over the hosting side Morocco after additional playtime, prompted by a moment where certain Senegalese athletes momentarily departed the field after officials granted a spot kick to the home team towards the end of standard play.
Fall highlighted issues related to lodging arrangements, protective measures and officiating decisions, while implying that the organising nation benefited from biased favouritism.
"No other nation resisted Morocco in the way Senegal did," Fall remarked in a clip shared on the Senegalese platform Seneweb.
Addressing an audience in the native Wolof tongue during an occasion on Saturday, Fall noted that Moroccan official Fouzi Lekjaa holds a vice-presidential role in the African Football Confederation (CAF), an entity "which Morocco dominates. We must speak frankly," he added.
Fall voiced frustration over the delayed disclosure of the appointed arbitrators for the championship game.
"The identity of the match referee should have been revealed at least two days prior. When we inquired, they claimed no details were available. Although there are set times for potential objections against an official (yet) the information arrived only the evening before the fixture, at 10 in the evening," Fall explained.
He mentioned that CAF justified this by stating it "aimed to shield the referee from undue stress" although this prevented "any opportunity to raise objections against him".
Fall also took issue with the accommodation provided for the Senegal group in Rabat ahead of the showdown, contrasting with their earlier stay in Tangier for previous stages.
"The Senegalese squad found the central city hotel unsuitable due to excessive disturbance and lack of proper entry paths."
Moreover, upon reaching Rabat, the athletes encountered no protective presence, according to him.
He further noted that the Moroccans "insisted on directing us to practise at their advanced training facility, the state-of-the-art Mohamed VI complex, unmatched by anything in Senegal."
"Had we accepted, they would have gained full insight into our squad's preparations."
Fall indicated that following his warning against participating in the final, enhanced security was provided, alternative training grounds were arranged and alternative lodging was secured for the team.
During the final, the Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed a potential late goal for Senegal citing an infringement and subsequently, after consulting video footage, granted the hosting nation a penalty kick.
A number of Senegalese participants temporarily exited the playing area as their fans tried to access the field, leading to a 15-minute suspension of the action.
Upon restarting, Brahim Diaz failed to convert from the spot.