Tennis player Alizé Cornet has ignited a controversy by publicly questioning the decision for the Senegalese national football team to celebrate its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory with a friendly match in France. The comments were made on social media ahead of a scheduled friendly between Senegal and Peru at the Stade de France on March 29, 2026.
Cornet, a French athlete, expressed her view that the celebration should have been held in Senegal for the local fans, stating it was a shame for the Senegalese people. Her remarks quickly drew reactions from fans and commentators online, dividing opinions on the appropriateness of holding a victory celebration on foreign soil.
The Senegalese Football Federation had organized the match as a celebratory event for the diaspora and as part of the team's preparations. Senegal won the 2025 AFCON, held in Morocco, by defeating Algeria in the final. The friendly against Peru ended in a 2-0 victory for Senegal, with goals from Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr.
The debate touches on broader themes of national representation, accessibility for local supporters, and the commercial and logistical considerations of modern international football. Officials have defended the event as an opportunity to engage with the significant Senegalese community in France.
