Senegal accuse Watford of REFUSING to release Ismaila Sarr for the Africa Cup of Nations just days after Nigeria’s dispute with Claudio Ranieri’s side over ‘threatening’ Emmanuel Dennis
- Senegal have accused Watford of refusing to release Ismaila Sarr for the AFCON
- Sarr was selected as a part of squad despite being sidelined with a knee injury
- The news came after Nigeria accused Watford of ‘threatening’ Emmanuel Dennis
Senegal have threatened to call in FIFA to intervene after claiming Watford have blocked their attempts to pick Ismaila Sarr for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite Sarr being out of action since November due to a knee injury and not being expected back in training until late January, Senegal included the 23 year old in their squad for the tournament in Cameroon which ends on February 6.
And Watford have now become embroiled in a second AFCON row after a dispute over striker Emmanuel Dennis which ended with him being ‘excused’ from Nigeria’s squad.
Senegal accused Watford of refusing to release Ismaila Sarr for the Africa Cup of Nations later
The Senegal Football Federation said Watford informed them on December 31 that he would not be allowed to travel.
The federation’s general secretary Victor Seh Cisse said: ‘The English club Watford notified on the basis of spurious arguments its decision to block the player Ismaila Sarr, who has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection for the Cup of Nations. The FSF responded immediately to confirm the player’s call-up and the club’s obligation to release the player by no later than January 3.’
Senegal added they are willing to turn to FIFA if ‘Watford persists in its deliberate refusal to release the player.’
In a statement in response, Watford said: ‘Ismaïla Sarr suffered a knee ligament injury on November 20 in the match against Manchester United and has not been fit to play for Watford since that date.
Sarr was selected as a part of Senegal squad despite being sidelined with a knee injury
The news comes shortly after Nigeria accused Watford of ‘threatening’ Emmanuel Dennis (above) to prevent him travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations
‘In early December, the club wrote to the Senegal Football Federation outlining the clinical diagnosis of Ismaïla’s injury and immediately followed that up by supplying the MRI scans detailing the extent of the injury.
‘After further consultation with medical experts, we informed the Federation of Ismaila’s rehabilitation process and likely time frame of recovery.
‘Within the past 10 days, the club has reiterated to the Senegal Football Federation the player’s current medical status and recovery schedule.
‘The Hornets have also invited the Senegal Football Federation to instruct their own independent surgeon to confirm the diagnosis and rehabilitation period.’
Watford boss Ranieri (above) responded to the allegations, claiming the matter was over