Cesc Fàbregas condemns Senegal and head coach Pape Thiaw for calling up Assane Diao during the most recent international window, saying the decision shows no regard for the player’s condition.
The Como manager speaks with frustration after Diao arrived in camp with an injury and left for national duty despite not reaching full fitness.
The forward returned to Italy soon after joining the squad.
The situation triggered intense debate during Senegal’s last training camp. Diao, 20, owns two caps and last featured for the national team in March 2025.
Thiaw recalled him for friendly matches against Brazil and Kenya, but the striker did not train consistently because of fitness concerns and travelled back to his club shortly after.
His involvement with the national team irritated Como and raised new questions about his potential inclusion in Senegal’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from 21 December to 18 January in Morocco.
Fàbregas addressed the issue again on Saturday. The Como coach dismissed the logic behind releasing the young forward for the continental tournament.
He said, “For me, it’s illogical,” and criticised the timing of the most recent international call-up.
He stressed that Diao needed careful management after a long injury layoff.
Fàbregas said the striker spent seven months on the sidelines, featured in three matches for Como, and then left for Senegal only to pick up another injury.
He said the sequence made no sense for the player’s wellbeing.
He added that Diao travelled to the Senegal camp with a slight adductor problem, joined only two training sessions, and returned to Italy after aggravating the issue.
Fàbregas said the decision to call him up ignored the forward’s physical condition and jeopardised his progress.
He said Diao should not travel for the Africa Cup of Nations under the current circumstances.
Fàbregas noted that the striker could return to action against Inter on 6 December, although a comeback against Roma on 15 December looks more realistic.
He said Diao’s availability for the tournament remains uncertain.
