Issa Cissokho has criticized the Senegalese media for distorting his comment which led to his omission from the final 23-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The right back, who plays for French Lique 1 side Nantes, was conspicuously missing from the squad announced by coach Alain Giresse last week.
The 29-year-old is reported to have launched a blistering attack on the coach during the qualifiers, which forced the Frenchman to respond in equal measure.
It's widely believed his reported criticism may have resulted in the decision of the coach to drop him from the final squad.
But the former Guingamp youth defender says his comments were misconstrued.
"I participated in the first four playoff games before he cut  me from the team,  he said
“The coach blames me for what I have said in the press. Except that these are statements I've never said. I called him to explain, but obviously, that did not change his mind.
“The journalists distort everything and I regret to miss such a sporting event as prestigious as the Nations Cup. This is a great international meeting.
“ I really want to defend the colors of my country especially in a group where we will face Ghana, the Algeria and South Africa.â€