Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich has claimed that Liverpool nearly prevented him from representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Following a concussion he sustained during the tournament against Cape Verde, Mane claims he was required to sign a contract accepting responsibility for his demise.
He explained to Pro Direct Soccer France that Liverpool put pressure on the federation and sent a letter to Fifa stating that he needed at least five days of rest and would therefore miss the quarterfinals.
“Liverpool put pressure on the federation and wrote a letter to Fifa that I needed at least five days rest so that meant I was to miss the quarter-finals,” he told Pro Direct Soccer France.
He added: “I called the federation president and told him we need to have a meeting because I have to play. I could give up my life.
“I said ‘I know I shouldn’t play but let us have a contract. It will be my responsibility, I will sign’.
“If I die, they have to say it is my fault. No one’s fault. But they said ‘Sadio, you cannot play’ but I said ‘no, no, it is out of the question’.”
Senegal defeated Egypt in the AFCON 2021 championship game after Mane scored the game-winning penalty kick.
