Saturday 31 January 2015 19:53, UK
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he was advised to leave Diafra Sakho out of the squad to face Liverpool because of an ongoing row with Senegal.
The striker caused a stir with his country by withdrawing from the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations with a back injury, only to then return and score the winner against Bristol City in the FA Cup.
Senegal have reportedly complained to FIFA about the situation and head coach Alain Giresse said the case set "a dangerous precedent".
Under FIFA rules players can be banned from playing for their clubs if they dodge international call-ups and Allardyce said after the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool that he was told it was best not to include Sakho in the squad.
“With Sakho it is down to the situation we are in with FIFA," he said.
"While it is happening it is not conducive for us to be putting him on the field until it is resolved, sadly. If you speak to the lad you would know how angry and disappointed he is at being denied the opportunity to play football when it is not our fault.
"We have covered all the rules and regulations but at this moment in time it is sensible to do the right thing and not get involved any more - that is what I was told yesterday.”
Sakho is West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals this season.
