Diafra Sakho. | image source: sportal.co.nz
Senegal and West Ham striker Diafra Sakho could find himself in hot water after his national team coach, Alain Giresse, blasted him after featuring for the Hammers against Bristol City on Monday night.
Sakho was ruled out of AFCON 2015 due to a back injury and Giresse had to replace him with Sadio Mane.
However, the 25-year-old forward is facing a ban after the Senegalese FA lodged an official complaint with FIFA.
Sakho came off the bench to bag the winner in the FA Cup fourth round clash against the League One side, but the Lions of Teranga did not expect him to play.
The Senegalese FA officials have spoken to FIFA and demanded they take action, which would mean the summer signing from Metz could be banned by world football's governing body.
Although Senegal are already out of the continental showpiece, FIFA can stop Sakho appearing for the Hammers for the duration of the competition.
The ban could mean missing Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester United, while they could issue a fine or an even longer ban.
Senegalese fans also want the Hammers booted out of the FA Cup as Sam Allardyce's men are set to travel to West Bromwich in the fifth round next month.
“I’m very surprised to learn that he played, when you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you’re playing a football game. There must be miraculous medicine in England,” said Giresse.
“This sets a dangerous precedent because in future you are going to have players claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football (for their clubs) - It is a debate that deserves more discussion.”
- africanfootball.com