Senegal football federation won't appeal CAF ban

DAKAR (AFP) –

Senegalese police look on as fans rampage on October 13 at Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium in Dakar. Senegal’s football federation on Tuesday said they would not appeal a one-year ban from international games in Dakar following serious crowd trouble that forced a recent match against Ivory Coast to be abandoned.

Senegal’s football federation on Tuesday said they would not appeal a one-year ban from international games in Dakar following serious crowd trouble that forced a recent match against Ivory Coast to be abandoned.

The FSF said in a statement it “acknowledged” the sanction imposed by the Confederation of African Football and after consultation with its lawyer “had decided not to launch an appeal”.

Senegal was also fined $100,000 (77,000 euros), half of it suspended, following the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game on October 13, which was called off in the 74th minute with Ivory Coast 2-0 up.

The match was initially suspended for about 40 minutes as stones, bottles and chairs rained down on Ivory Coast players and fans at the Stade Leopold Sedar and police using tear gas tried to restore order.

Fires were also set in the stands and the visiting team was forced to take refuge in the centre circle.

Senegal lost the first leg of the tie 4-2 in Abidjan, while Ivory Coast went through to the finals of the competition, which will be held in South Africa in January and February next year.