Diouf threatens strike over Metsu

Diouf (right) says Metsu is "like a father" to him

By James Copnall BBC Sport Online

Senegal star El Hadji Diouf has launched a sensational strike threat to his country's football administrators.

Fadiga demands Metsu's return

Diouf said that unless the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) allow Bruno Metsu to return as Senegal coach after his 10 month contract in the United Arab Emirates, he would lead his team mates into a strike.

"If they do not want to give us Bruno Metsu back why continue?" the 2001 African Footballer of the Year told France Football magazine.

"If it is the only way to make the directors understand our intentions, then we will not play for the national team."

Many of the Lions have very good relations with the French coach, but Diouf is particularly close to the man he has often described as "like a father to me."

The Liverpool star believes Senegal need Metsu at the helm if they are to continue to fire on all cylinders.

"It is impossible to envisage a future without Bruno," Diouf stated.

"It is thanks to him that we got so far, and there is no question of abandoning him along the way."

Diouf ready for battle

For the meantime Abdoulaye Sarr and Jules Bocande, Metsu's assistants, have been appointed to take charge, and Diouf is confident they will be able to do a good job.

Nevertheless, in the long term Diouf believes that only Metsu is capable of taking the Lions to the heights they reached this summer.

The Lions have decided to meet for crisis talks in Paris on Sunday, at which FSF President Malick Sy and stand-in coach Abdoulaye Sarr will also be present.

Diouf denied dream debut

"We are going to talk about the future of our team, and, above all, decide if we are going to stop playing or not," Diouf warned.