Abdoulaye Fall Criticizes Refereeing, Accommodation, and Security After Senegal’s Victory Over Morocco
Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), has made a scathing attack on Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the controversial end to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
Senegal won the AFCON 2026 final 1-0 after extra time, but the match was marred by a series of contentious events, including a late penalty awarded to Morocco and a brief walk-off by Senegalese players. Fall expressed his dissatisfaction with both the organization of the tournament and the treatment Senegal’s team received in Morocco.
Refereeing Controversy
Fall expressed frustration over what he deemed to be preferential treatment for the host nation. In a video posted on Senegalese media platform Seneweb, he pointed out several refereeing issues, including the late announcement of match officials. According to Fall, Senegal was only informed of the referee selection the night before the final, leaving them with no time to challenge the choice. CAF had explained that this was done to protect the referee from undue pressure, but Fall felt it was an unfair situation for Senegal.
Accusations of Bias Toward Morocco
Fall also highlighted Moroccan official Fouzi Lekjaa, who is one of CAF’s vice-presidents. He claimed that Morocco’s influence over the continental football body led to biased treatment, suggesting that CAF was not impartial in handling the tournament’s arrangements.
“No country opposed Morocco as Senegal did,” Fall said. “Morocco controls CAF. Let’s tell the truth.”
Accommodation and Security Issues
Fall raised further concerns about the Senegalese team’s accommodation in Rabat for the final. Unlike their earlier stays in Tangier, the team was placed in a noisy hotel far from the city center with poor access roads. He also criticized the lack of proper security for the players when they arrived in Rabat, noting that they were left without adequate protection until he threatened to pull the team out of the final.
In addition, he accused the Moroccan hosts of attempting to force Senegal to train at their ultra-modern Mohamed VI centre, which would have compromised Senegal’s strategies and preparation.
Controversial Moments in the Final
The final itself was filled with drama. A late Senegal goal was ruled out by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala for a foul, followed by a video review that awarded Morocco a penalty kick. The penalty, taken by Brahim Diaz, was missed after a brief interruption, during which Senegalese players walked off the field in protest. The match was delayed for 15 minutes as the Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch, adding to the tension.
Next Steps
Despite these challenges, Senegal managed to secure the AFCON title after a tense extra-time victory. However, the fallout from the final is far from over. Fall’s allegations of bias and improper treatment have sparked a broader conversation about governance and fairness in African football.
As Senegal celebrates its hard-fought victory, the accusations and controversy surrounding the 2026 AFCON final will likely continue to stir debate within the football community.
