Senegal boss Aliou Cisse could MISS his side’s last-16 clash with England after failing to show up for their pre-match press conference due to illness… with his No 2 replacing him in front of the media on the eve of the game
Senegal manager Aliou Ciise could miss Senegal’s last-16 clash with England after he skipped their pre-match press conference due to sickness.
The Three Lions will line up against Senegal on Sunday evening, with the winners set to face either France or Poland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Traditionally, managers face the media the day before each World Cup game, however Cisse did not show up for his meeting with journalists on Saturday – and it was also revealed that he has missed a training session on Friday.
Senegal manager Aliou Cisse is a doubt to be on the touchline for Sunday’s last-16 clash
Assistant manager Regis Bogaert (left) took the press conference with third-choice keeper Alfred Gomis (right) as Cisse missed the meeting with the media due to ‘sickness’
‘He has been sick for a couple of days now,’ said assistant coach Regis Bogaert, who replaced Cisse at the press conference.
“He let us take charge of training yesterday, obviously with his instructions to the players.
‘Hopefully tomorrow he will be able to come and be on the bench with the players but we are sure at 10pm he will be there with the team.
Bogaert revealed that Senegal coach Cisse missed their training session on Friday
‘I can confirm he is sick and has a bit of a temperature, that is why we have to be careful with his situation.’
Bogaert took the press conference alongside their third-choice goalkeeper Alfred Gomis.
Gomis was a surprise choice given manager’s traditionally choose someone who will be involved in the match, and Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy seems certain to start in goal.
England will play either France or Poland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup if they progress
The Sun have reported that Senegal have received an £8,700 fine for doing their press-conference ahead of their win over Ecuador with Cisse, but no player.
A player is obliged to face the media the day before matches alongside the manager.
The reasoning for Senegal’s decision not to bring a player is unsure but Germany manager Hansi Flick said he didn’t bring a player to a press conference ahead of their game with Spain as their World Cup base was too far from Doha.
He said that he ‘didn’t want a player to spend three hours on the road’ as they couldn’t hold press-conferences at their training base, but had to do so in Doha.
