Although it has been over for more than a week now, the 2025 African Cup of Nations continues to generate a lot of ink and fuel the (bad) buzz due to numerous controversies. The latest follows comments from the president of the Senegalese Football Federation Abdoulaye Fall.
On the occasion of a celebration ceremony organized by his birth commune, Bambey, and broadcast by the Senegalese media Seneweb, the leader let himself be overwhelmed by the euphoria of the victory of the Lions of Teranga at the end of a chaotic final and accused Morocco, the organizing country of the tournament and opponent in the final, of “holding CAF (Confederation of African Football)”. “They hold everything in hand and decide everything,” Fall insisted in Wolof.
Comments which provoked a strong reaction in Morocco. “These allegations, devoid of any evidentiary substance, constitute a serious attack on the honor of Moroccan and African sports authorities,” indicates the Club des Avocats du Maroc (CAM).
The latter therefore decided to go on the attack and announced, on his social networks, that he was going to refer the matter to the competent authorities, namely the Fifa Ethics Commission, relying on article 60 of the Fifa Code of Ethics and article 43 of the Disciplinary Code of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“The terrain of institutional slander”
“The Club des Avocats au Maroc expresses its strongest disapproval following the defamatory statements made by the President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF),” indicates the organization, which is dedicated to the promotion and defense of the rights of litigants, in a press release.
“By peremptorily accusing the Kingdom of Morocco of “manipulating CAF” and of exercising a hidden influence on the organization of continental football, this leader has crossed the threshold of sporting criticism to venture into the terrain of institutional slander, the press release continues. Furthermore, the deliberate questioning of the procedural fairness of the CAF constitutes a direct offense to the integrity of this institution. »
The CAM also believes that by accusing “without evidence a nation and a confederation of manipulation, this leader is clearly failing in his duties of neutrality, loyalty and integrity. »
“The dignity of Moroccan football cannot be violated with impunity by irresponsible media releases which harm African brotherhood,” the press release ends.
“We are waiting for an investigation to be carried out rigorously so that the light is shed and appropriate sanctions are applied against the author of these remarks,” added Maître Mourad El Addi, president of the Lawyers’ Club to the media Sport News Africa.
The Moroccan Lawyers’ Club had set up an observation commission to closely examine the legal procedure, “the presumption of innocence and the application of Moroccan criminal law in a context of strong media pressure” during the “Hakimi affair”. The PSG right-back, who has always denied the allegations, was indicted for rape in March 2023 and is still under threat of trial.
Abdoulaye Fall’s exit comes as the Senegalese Prime Minister is expected for an official visit… to Morocco.
Also note that the disciplinary committee of the African Confederation meets this Tuesday to rule and possibly sanction Senegal whose players had left the field and threatened not to resume play during the final against Morocco.
Worth a look
