Fabregas: Senegal Coach Threatened Diaw's World Cup Spot Over AFCON Participation

Cesc Fabregas, coach of Italian club Como, has accused Senegal's national team coach, Pape Thiaw, of "blackmail" regarding the participation of young player Al-Hassan Diaw in the Africa Cup of Nations "Morocco 2025".

The Spanish coach revealed in statements to Sky Sports that he had contacted the "Teranga Lions" coach to request Diaw's exemption from the AFCON squad. Fabregas explained that Diaw had only recently returned from an eight-month injury layoff, but his request was denied.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Como's Serie A defeat against Roma on Monday, Fabregas quoted Thiaw: "The Senegal national team coach told me that if Diaw doesn't participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, he won't be present at the World Cup. I didn't like this at all, and that's why it was an uncomfortable conversation with him. I can't understand this."

Fabregas insisted on fielding Diaw in Monday's match, but the 20-year-old player suffered an injury and was forced to leave the field in the 37th minute. Medical examinations are now pending to determine the extent of his absence.