Thursday, the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) announced the cancellation of the Senegal-Mali friendly match, initially scheduled for October 14, due to a busy schedule. A Dantesque calendar to which the French team is no stranger, according to the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).
” Following the CAN draw (2023) scheduled for October 12 by CAF, it was concluded that holding this friendly match would be more detrimental to the two selections, especially since the heads of the technical staff will take part in the ceremony in Ivory Coast. Other compelling reasons, Mali has another friendly match on October 17 in Portugal while Senegal will have to travel to France for another friendly match.we can read in a press release published by the Malian body on its official Facebook account at the beginning of the afternoon.
Coming later on the channel TFMthe president of the FSF, Augustin Senghor, elaborated, citing other constraints linked to the friendly match of the Blues in France against Scotland, in Lille on October 17, which forced Senegal to face the Cameroon to Lens
October 16th instead of October 17th.
— LeSportifSN (@Lesportifs_) September 22, 2023
Competition, security… France vetoes the 16th
“In the meantime, France, which plays on October 17, the same date as us against Cameroon in Lens, contacted our organizing agents to ask them to change the date. The French (football) Federation notably mentioned the competition between the two matches which would take place in fairly close locations, while the Blues will be in Lille, and the related security risks. We therefore advanced to 16. We had to convince the coaches. This obviously impacted the match against Mali which was to be played on the 14th in Senegal. However, Mali plays on the 17th in Portugal against Saudi Arabia. Afterwards, we analyzed. How to get organized? It’s not just about playing for the sake of playing. Do we have the conditions, the logistics, to allow our players to play here, then leave for Portugal or Lens in the space of 2 days? It was going to be an overload”affirmed the Senegalese leader.
2023-09-22 11:49:12
#match #canceled #Blues
