Senegal has accused Watford of refusing to release Ismaila Sarr for this month's Africa Cup of Nations and will seek FIFA's intervention, the country's football federation said on Sunday.
The federation said Watford told them on Friday they would not release the highly-rated midfielder for the tournament in Cameroon, which starts on January 9 and where Senegal is one of the favourites.
A statement signed by the Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] said, "The English club Watford has notified its decision to block player Ismaila Sir on the basis of spurious arguments, who have asked for participation in Senegal's selection for the Nations Cup." expressed desire." General Secretary Victor Seh Sisse.
"The FSF responded promptly to the player's call-up and to confirm the club's obligation not to release the player before 3 January," it continued.
It added that Senegal would take up the matter with FIFA if "Watford persists in willful refusal to release the player".
"The FSF would like to express its deepest condemnation of the abusive, harmful and discriminatory behavior of Watford who seeks by all means to prevent a player from playing with his national team.
"Africa, its football and its football players deserve the same respect that is given to other continents, federations and players.
The FSF will take all necessary action to ensure that its footballers' fundamental right to play for their country is respected.
Watford did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sir has not played for the club since suffering a knee ligament injury during Watford's 4-1 win over Manchester United in November, but he is close to returning to full fitness.
Premier League strugglers have already refused to allow Nigeria striker Emmanuel Dennis to join his country, saying the Nigerian Football Federation did not summon him in time to inform the club of his selection. missed the deadline.
Nigeria did not contest the claim and have since replaced Dennis in their squad.
Watford, who lost in stoppage time to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and slipped close to the relegation zone, will lose three other players in the tournament - Nigeria's William Trost Ekong and the Moroccan pair of Imran Luza and Adam Masina.