Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett has slammed Senegal's decision to allow Sadio Mane to take part in their quarter-final win over Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Liverpool forward suffered a serious head injury in Senegal's Round of 16 triumph versus Cape Verde, colliding with opposition goalkeeper Vozinha as they challenged for a long ball played forward.
Mane appeared to have been momentarily knocked unconscious before his head struck the turf heavily on landing, while Vozinha was left in obvious distress with concern immediately raised over his wellbeing.
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Despite clearly being affected by this incident, Senegal made the controversial decision to leave the 29-year-old on the pitch.
Mane opened the scoring in the match moments later, but celebrations were short-lived as he fell to the ground and required the assistance of team-mates before finally being replaced.
He has since set-up a semi-final tie with Burkina Faso for his country after starring in Sunday's 3-1 victory, a decision Hackett has labelled 'an area of concern'.
“It seems to me the IFAB, the lawmakers, are still trying to develop a concussion criteria that applies around the world. We’re in an experimental process,” the ex-PGMOL chief told Football Insider.
“But my knowledge of that it usually takes 14 days before you can come back, before that they should be calm and not do too much physical exercise.
“It has to be an area of concern. I have no doubt that the Liverpool medical team, who are top drawer, will be asking questions about their player.
“For me, I think it was too soon to come back and play.”
Mane could well be going head-to-head against fellow Reds team-mate Mohamed Salah in the final of AFCON.
Senegal are just one match away from reaching the showpiece fixture of the tournament, which also applies to Egypt.
