Watford release Ismaila Sarr to Senegal AFCON squad
Ismaila Sarr, Watford midfielder has finally been released by his club to join up with Senegal’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, ending a rift between the club and country.
The Premier League club said Sarr was injured after Senegal accused Watford of refusing to release him for the tournament, which starts on 9 January.
The Senegalese football federation said 23-year-old Sarr “had taken an Air France flight from London at 11.30 am and will arrive in Dakar in the evening”.
“Ismaila Sarr suffered a knee ligament injury on November 20 in the match against Manchester United and has not been fit to play for Watford since,” the club said.
Watford believes Sarr, who has not been featured in a Premier League match since November. Senegal had already named Sarr in their squad for the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday. They play their first game in Group B on Monday against Zimbabwe or Zambia in Bafoussam.
Senegal’s other Premier League stars, Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, joined up with the squad at their training base outside the capital Dakar on Monday.
