Sidibe out for three weeks

Mama Sidibe will be out of action for up to three weeks after being injured during a riot after Mali’s win against Togo.

Sidibe’s nightmare experience came after the win in Togo when the crowd rioted and attacked the Mali team ending with Mama having to undergo an operation after his arm was lacerated from being dragged through a broken window. He also needed stitches in an eye wound and the big striker is now glad to be back in the UK.

Tony Pulis told the Sentinel that everyone at the club was glad to see him back in the Potteries: ‘He’s still very shaken by the experience, it was very, very scary for him. I’m just pleased for him, his wife and his little kiddie that he’s back here in one piece.’

This is something no-one – football player or otherwise – should have to endure and from the various video clips that are up on YouTube has definitely not been blown up out of proportion by the media. Yet we’ll have to see if FIFA or another footballing body do anything about it. One thing is certain, if that had been a match down at the Brit (or any other club in the UK) the resulting penalties just don’t bear thinking about – and justifiably so.