Football news - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang blasts Gabon FA for failure to make injury public

ByBen Grounds

Updated 15/11/2018 at 11:02 GMT

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has heavily criticised the Gabon FA after not making the reason for his absence from an African Cup of Nations qualifier public knowledge.

The Arsenal forward will miss the encounter this weekend against Mali, but his omission from the squad was shrouded in mystery after no explanation was given for him failing to report to training with his national team.

It has emerged that the 29-year-old is suffering from a back issue that has ruled him out of joining up with his compatriots, and Aubameyang’s doctor notified the Gabon FA of the reason for him not being available.

Aubameyang has been questioned by supporters for not being present, leading to frustrations with the organisation’s failure to reveal the extent of his injury.

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Aubameyang is unhappy with the Gabon FA over their failure to announce his injury

Image credit: Getty Images

"It's bizarre. Any FA will publish the reason why one of its players can't report for international duty," he said.

"But in this case, our association definitely received an e-mail from my doctor (saying I am injured). However, they still haven't made this fact public.

People are going to say that Aubameyang declined to turn up. It looks as though I have refused to come along for a different reason.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker has been in impressive form for the Gunners this season, scoring nine goals in 16 appearances, in part aided by him being allowed to sit out his country’s two wins over South Sudan last month.

But Gabon’s encounter with Mali could prove pivotal in qualification for next summer’s tournament in Cameroon with the two teams currently occupying the top two positions in Group C.

Aubameyang missed two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last month

Image credit: Getty Images

Defeat to the Malians could open the door for Burundi to snatch a qualifying spot for the first time in their history.

Gabon’s national head coach Daniel Cousins has backed Aubameyang in the dispute, saying: "We received an email from Arsenal's club doctor.

"It told us that Aubameyang still had pain in his back and that he couldn't play for the national team this Saturday."

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