'It would be a RIDICULOUS attitude from Senegal if he featured on Sunday': Chris Sutton slams handling of Liverpool star Sadio Mane's concussion after he was knocked out cold but carried on playing against Cape Verde

Senegal’s handling of Sadio Mane’s horror head injury at the Africa Cup of Nations has come under fire ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final.

The Liverpool forward clashed with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who was shown a red card for the collision, in the 53rd minute. 

Mane was cleared to continue despite struggling to get up off the ground and scored in the 63rd minute. Yet he collapsed after celebrating and was finally substituted seven minutes later.

Senegal’s handling of Sadio Mane’s horror head injury at AFCON has come under fire

Mane clashed heads with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and appeared to be knocked out

Sportsmail‘s Chris Sutton was damning in his assessment of how the situation was handled. ‘Mane collides with the goalkeeper at speed, then fails to break his fall, landing face-first instead,’ he said. ‘He’s unable to lift his head while lying on his back.

‘There only needs to be the slightest suspicion of concussion for the player to be substituted. Yet he was helped back up and pretty much told, ”You’ve passed the tests. On you go, son”.

‘After celebrating his goal, he dropped to the deck and then was a concussion substitute. It would be a ridiculous attitude from Senegal, from the Confederation of African Football, from FIFA or from anybody with influence in this situation, if he featured on Sunday.

Mane (third from right) was cleared to continue despite struggling to get up off the ground

‘If Mane does feature, that will be proof of football putting results ahead of players. This is the reality of football’s attitude towards brain injuries. It really is remarkable.’

Liverpool’s medical department remain in contact with Senegal and trust their set-up, but questions are being asked about whether Mane should miss the quarter-final against Equatorial Guinea which comes just five days after he was taken to hospital with suspected concussion.

Mane later posted a picture on social media of himself and Vozinha in hospital. In a sign that he feels he is fit to feature in Senegal’s next game, he wrote: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Thank you for your messages of support. I am very well.’

However, concussion protocols suggest players should rest for at least a week before returning to action, which would mean Mane missing Sunday’s match.

Mane scored ten minutes later, but collapsed after celebrating and was finally substituted

Chris Sutton was damning in his assessment of how the situation was handled

Brain injury charity Headway on Wednesday described this as ‘a real test of leadership’ for tournament organisers and world governing body FIFA.

‘This seems to be yet another example of football putting results ahead of player safety,’ said deputy chief executive Luke Griggs.

‘This was a sickening collision that clearly left both players in enough distress for a concussion to have surely been considered a possibility at least. At that point, the principle of ‘if in doubt, sit it out’ should have resulted in Mane being substituted. 

The image of the player collapsing and having to be helped from the pitch after scoring should tell you everything you need to know about the impact and the affect it had on his brain.

Questions are being asked about whether Mane should miss the quarter-final on Sunday

‘Yet again, the desire to win is seen as being worth serious risks to players’ health.’

Senegal team doctor Dr Abdourahmane Fedior said Mane was removed ‘due to the vertigos he had on the pitch’ after scoring. ‘We felt it was safer to bring him to the hospital for a scan which didn’t reveal any brain injury or bone lesion,’ he added. 

‘All the symptoms he had on the pitch disappeared. It needs to be followed closely though and we will see in two days how he feels. He needs to rest and come back to training step by step.’

 Mane later posted a picture on social media of himself and Cape Verde’s Vozinha in hospital