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.Although Sarr is currently sidelined with a knee injury and has not featured for Watford since November, the FSF issued a statement in which it claimed that Watford had displayed “disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour”.”The Senegalese Football Federation wishes to express by this press release its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour of the leaders of Watford who seek by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team.”🏴🇸🇳 Watford have refused to let Ismaïla Sarr join Senegal at AFCON.This is despite negotiating an agreement that allowed Sarr to join up if Senegal reached the Quarter-Finals.@FSFofficielle have denounced the decision as “reprobate” & “discriminatory”. pic.twitter.com/VTPYrbGNVK— African Insider (@African_Insider) January 2, 2022 The tournament gets underway next Sunday in Cameroon and runs until February 6, clashing with the European club season. Having to free Africans is a sore point with some managers and Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti labelled the Cup of Nations an “invisible monster”.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.Only one week before AFCON gets underwaySenegal, runners-up in 2019, are one of the favourites for the African title.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONSGroup BMonday, 10 January 16.00: (1.30) Senegal (5.00) Zimbabwe (12.0)19.00: (1.58) Guinea (3.60) Malawi (7.00)***odds are subject to change
