Football: Senegal says British club ‘blocking’ Sarr from playing in Africa Cup of Nations

 

The Senegalese football federation (FSF) on Sunday accused Premier League side Watford of preventing forward Ismaila Sarr from playing in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The FSF claimed Watford had displayed “disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behavior”.

Sarr is currently sidelined with a knee injury and has not featured for Watford since November.

“The Senegalese Football Federation wishes to express by this press release its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behavior of the leaders of Watford who seek by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team,” an FSF statement said.

The tournament gets underway next Sunday in Cameroon and runs until February 6, clashing with the European club season.

Sarr has impressed for struggling Watford this term, scoring five goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

Watford’s handling of Sarr’s fellow forward Emmanuel Dennis has also been controversial, with Nigeria saying the English club “showed their teeth” when refusing to release him for international duty.

Senegal, runners-up in 2019, are one of the favorites for the African title.