Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich has revealed that Liverpool nearly prevented him from representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Mane claims he was asked to sign a contract accepting responsibility for his death after suffering a concussion during the tournament against Cape Verde.
“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 quarterfinals,” 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’.”
Mane went on to score the game-winning penalty kick as Senegal defeated Egypt in the AFCON 2021 final.