The reactions to the lifting of sanctions against the Senegalese Football Federation include concerns and preferences regarding the choice of venues for Senegal’s matches. Nouha Cissé, the president of Casa-Sports, expressed his opposition to the idea of playing Senegal’s matches abroad, considering it a “second humiliation.” Instead, he suggested that the Aline Sitoe Diatta stadium in Ziguinchor, with its covered and uncovered stands, should host the matches.
Cissé pointed out that the Aline Sitoe Diatta stadium has hosted group matches of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 1992 and remains, in his view, the only serious alternative among regional stadiums.
The Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium is mentioned as being deprived of CAF competitions for a year, and Senegal has been ordered to pay a fine of $100,000. This sanction is a consequence of the violence observed at the stadium during the Lions’ match against the Elephants on October 13, 2012.
The choice of match venues often involves considerations of infrastructure, security, and the desire to create a positive atmosphere for both the home team and visitors. It will be interesting to see how these considerations play out in the future decisions regarding Senegal’s match locations.
