Liverpool have made a direct appeal to Sadio Mane not to risk his health by playing in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday night.
Mane was knocked out during his country’s previous game with Cape Verde on Tuesday after a collision with opposition goalkeeper Vozinha.
He was later substituted and reportedly taken to hospital complaining of dizziness having initially stayed on the pitch and scored in a 2-0 win.
Premier League protocols would mean the star forward automatically missing the next game but Mane posted a picture of himself on an exercise bike and took part in training yesterday, leading to concerns he may be selected.
Liverpool have contacted the 29-year-old and the Senegalese authorities to make their stance clear but don’t have the power to dictate Mane’s availability.
Senegal team doctor Abdourahmane Fdior has also insisted there was no concussion. In a statement, he said: ‘All symptoms he had on the pitch are gone. Everything is normal on the X-ray.’
Brain injury charity Headway have accused Senegal of putting results before a key player’s health, and demanded FIFA show leadership on the issue by intervening.
Mane’s Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah will spearhead Egypt against Morocco in today’s other quarter-final.
Hosts Cameroon were the first team into the semi-finals, Karl Toko Ekambi scoring both goals as they beat Gambia 2-0.
Conimrtuy
44
Stupid club when playing for you through pains you don’t talk about risking his life but to represent his country and you talking about risk
Bahdikos
19
stupid rubbish, Liverpool can dump you anytime after sucking all your energy and Senegal will be your home till you die. You will be buried in Senegal.. proud Senegalese.
Cimemrsuy
18
Let Mane play. That is his country. Let him die for his country rather than dying for Liverpool
DEJI22
14
Not everything has to do with racism and I believe we africans are quick to play the race card without adequate information. In European football, if you suffer from concussion, you are missing the next game regardless of the importance. Liverpool have every right to be concerned about Mane because he is their staff and also on their pay roll. Why do National teams send players back to clubs if they can’t handle their conditions like the case of Aubameyang, Lemina and Osimhen who had to miss out of the nations cup? Understand before you make comments and you’ll reduce the number of hates shared in the world. Thank You