Liverpool make Sadio Mane AFCON plea after recent Senegal injury scare

Liverpool have called on Sadio Mane not to risk his own health by taking part in Senegal's last eight AFCON clash with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday night.

The Reds forward was knocked out on Tuesday during his country's game with Cape Verde.

He clashed with goalkeeper Vozinha, who later visited him in hospital as the player issued an update.

Mane was eventually substituted having initially remained on the pitch, but complained of dizziness and was taken for checks.

The Liverpool star has posted a picture of him on an exercise bike, seemingly preparing for Senegal's next game.

Were he to have experience such an injury in the Premier League protocols would automatically mean he misses the next game, but that is not the case in AFCON.

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Liverpool have contacted Senegal chiefs and made their feelings clear on the matter, but have no power to stop them or the play taking to the field.

Senegal team doctor Abdourahmane Fdior has said in a statement, he said: "All symptoms he had on the pitch are gone. Everything is normal on the X-ray."

CAF (Confederation of African Football) medical doctor Dr Thulani Ngwenya also claimed that Liverpool had no reason to be concerned.

"We have a very capable medical team. Senegal have two team doctors, who are highly commended," Dr Ngwenya said.

"I know the team doctors are responsible, so they communicate with the club and I understand that they have actually communicated with Liverpool and they have been told what is actually happening."

Luke Griggs, chief executive of brain injury charity Headway, has accused Senegal of putting success ahead of player welfare.

He said: "On the face of it, this seems to be yet another example of football putting results ahead of player safety.

"This was a sickening collision that clearly left both players in enough distress for a concussion to have surely been considered a possibility at the very least.

"At that point, the principle of 'if in doubt, sit it out!' should have resulted in Mane being substituted without another ball being kicked.

"This is now a real test of leadership for The Confederation of African Football and world governing body Fifa - particularly if Senegal declare Mane fit for Sunday's quarter-final.

"If football wants to be taken seriously when it comes to concussion, it simply must take action to enforce and strengthen its protocols."