The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) on Saturday condemned the decision of the English club Watford to “block” its striker Ismaïla Sarr, currently injured, for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) which begins on January 9 in Cameroon. The FSF “wishes to express its deep disapproval 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”, she wrote.
The body reacted to a letter dated December 31, 2021, sent by Londoners to “block the player Ismaïla Sarr who has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection”. The thorny issue of the release of African internationals has been debated for several weeks, with European clubs highlighting their concerns about the pandemic to hold them back.
Watford “shows the fangs”
The CAN (which ends on February 6) also takes place at the same time as the main championships, a scheduling conflict that does not suit anyone. Faced with the discontent of certain teams, especially in England, Fifa agreed on December 26 to postpone the date of availability of African players for their selections, from December 27 to January 3.
Ismaïla Sarr (23), who worked for FC Metz and Stade Rennes, scored five Premier League goals this season before injuring a knee at the end of November. He hasn’t played since. His availability for the CAN remains uncertain, according to Watford, whose management of African internationals has also been controversial in Nigeria, about Emmanuel Dennis.
The “Super Eagles” initially summoned the striker before excusing him and replacing him, after his club “showed their fangs”, as the Nigerian Federation wrote. Senegal, finalist in 2019, is one of the favorites to win the CAN in February.