Watford Forward Ismaila Sarr, was among the players shortlisted for AFCON last month despite being sidelined with an injury sustained in November.
The tournament being held in Cameroon begins on January 9 and will feature a host of stars.

“By mail on Friday, December 31, the English club Watford notified on the basis of arguments equally specious as fallacious its decision to block the player Ismaila Sarr, who has expressed his desire to join the Senegalese selection for the next Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” said a Senegal Football Federation (FSF) statement.

Senegal also said they’ll take the matter to world Football governing body FIFA.

“The Senegal Football Federation wishes to express with this communication its deep condemnation of the disrespectful, pernicious and discriminatory behaviour of Watford’s hierarchy who look by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team,” the statement concluded.

Watford responded that the player is not fit to play and that they have been in direct contact with Senegalese FA regarding his condition.

A club statement read: “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 FC since that date.

“In early December, the Club wrote to the Senegal Football Federation outlining the clinical diagnosis of Ismaïla’s injury and immediately followed that up by supplying the MRI scans detailing the extent of the injury. After further consultation with medical experts, we informed the Federation of Ismaila’s rehabilitation process and likely timeframe of recovery.

“Within the past 10 days, the Club has reiterated to the Senegal Football Federation the player’s current medical status and recovery schedule.

“The Hornets have also invited the Senegal Football Federation to instruct their own independent surgeon to confirm the diagnosis and rehabilitation period.”

Also, striker Emmanuel Dennis, will not be part of Nigeria squad after the club claimed that the Nigerian Football Federation did not request for him on time.