The President of the Senegalese Football Federation made fiery and shocking statements today, Sunday, leveling direct accusations at Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), stating that Morocco controls the reins of power within the African federation.
He added in his statements, which come after Senegal’s national team won the Africa Cup of Nations: “Morocco did not imagine that another team could prevent it from winning the title, and no team stood in the way of the Moroccan national team like Senegal did.”
Senegal National Team’s Objections
He continued: “We refused the accommodation hotel before the Africa Cup of Nations final because it was in the city center and a very noisy area, and a team of Senegal’s stature cannot stay in such conditions.”
The President of the Senegalese Football Federation pointed out that his country’s national team also refused to train at the Mohammed VI Complex before the final match, the same place where the Moroccan national team trains, because this would expose the technical details of the ‘Lions of Teranga’.
He confirmed that: “Refereeing in the tournament was the only point we could not influence. We were only notified of the referee one day before the final at ten o’clock at night, and this violates all regulations that grant us the right to object.”
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He emphasized that no other country dared to stand up to Morocco like they did. “They have money, influence, and many federations do not dare to confront them. Morocco holds CAF, and we must say they have everything and make the decisions.”
The President of the Senegalese Football Federation indicated that his Moroccan counterpart is a friend, but there are matters that are not open to compromise, and that is why things have reached this point.
Senegalese Football Federation
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) is the governing body for football in Senegal, founded in 1960 following the country’s independence. It organizes national competitions and oversees the national teams, most notably the “Lions of Teranga,” whose successes include winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country’s historic medinas, kasbahs, and varied landscapes from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains are central to its identity.
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the administrative and controlling body for association football in Africa, founded in 1957. Its establishment in Khartoum, Sudan, was closely tied to the continent’s decolonization movements, aiming to promote and develop the sport independently. Today, it organizes major competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations and represents African football within FIFA.
CAF
CAF, or the Club Athlétique de Fontenay, is a French multi-sports club founded in 1928 in Fontenay-sous-Bois. It is historically significant for its rugby union section, which was a founding member of the French professional rugby league, Top 14, in the 1930s. Today, the club remains active across various sports, including rugby, football, and handball.
Senegal
Senegal is a West African nation known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance as a former center of the transatlantic slave trade and French colonial rule. Its history includes powerful pre-colonial kingdoms, and it is celebrated for its vibrant music, art, and the influential Sufi brotherhoods that shape its society. The country is also home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Gorée Island and the Stone Circles of Senegambia.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations through sport and has grown from three initial participants to a major continental tournament featuring 24 national teams.
Senegal National Team
The Senegal National Team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the men’s senior football team representing Senegal. It gained prominence after its historic run to the quarter-finals in its FIFA World Cup debut in 2002 and achieved its greatest success by winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021.
Mohammed VI Complex
The Mohammed VI Complex is a large cultural and religious center in Fez, Morocco, inaugurated in 2016. It includes a mosque, a library, and a museum dedicated to the history of the city, built under the patronage of King Mohammed VI to preserve and promote Fez’s rich Islamic heritage and scholarly traditions.
Lions of Teranga
The “Lions of Teranga” is the popular nickname for the Senegal national football team, inspired by the country’s national animal and the Wolof concept of “Teranga,” meaning hospitality. The team has a significant history, most notably winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their first continental title. They are consistently one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations and have made multiple FIFA World Cup appearances.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee
The CAF Disciplinary Committee is the judicial body of the Confederation of African Football, responsible for enforcing regulations and adjudicating disciplinary matters within African football. It was established as part of CAF’s governance structure to handle issues such as misconduct by clubs, national associations, players, and officials. Its decisions are based on the CAF Statutes and Disciplinary Code, impacting competitions across the continent.
Luka Zidane
Luka Zidane is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is the son of legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane and began his senior career with Real Madrid’s reserve team in 2017.
Algerian Federation
The Algerian Federation was a short-lived political entity established in 1962 during the transitional period immediately following Algerian independence from France. It was formed as a coalition between the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) and other nationalist factions, but it quickly dissolved due to internal power struggles, leading to the rise of Ahmed Ben Bella and the establishment of a one-party state.
