Mane steps back to dodge the flak

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane asked to be left out of Senegal’s showpiece friendly against England after being targeted by critics and trolls over his recent performances for the African country.

- By Simon Mullock

Mane, 33, the frontman who thrilled Anfield for six years playing in tandem with Mo Salah, was gutted to be singled out for widespread stick after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March.

His request to miss Friday night’s clash against the Republic of Ireland and the meeting with England at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night “for personal reasons” was reluctantly accepted by coach Pape Thiaw.

Mane, who plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, already faces an uncertain future at club level after being told by the Saudi Pro League club that he is free to find new employers this summer.

Senegal coach Thiaw said: “It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane — and I respect it as a coach.