Accounts on the communication platforms circulated statements attributed to the Senegalese player, Sadio Mane, about preventing his wife from attending the African Nations Cup in the stands because of his fear of being harassed.

Mani says, according to the alleged statements, "I cannot in any way allow my wife to sit in the stands and be harassed. She can see me on TV, like my mother, my sister and my village girls."

He added, "I am now the African champion with my country, and I will return to carry the cup to my small village, and my wife can celebrate with me at home without anyone harming her, isn't that better?"

And the circulating statements continued, "It is my duty as a Muslim man to protect my wife, for she is more valuable than the African Cup. What is the benefit of having the African Cup when some people mess with my wife in the stands? This is unbearable."

Sadio Mane on his wife not attending the Cannes 🗣

I can't in any way allow my wife to sit in the stands and get harassed, she can see me on TV 📺 like my mother, my sister and my village girls 😍

I am now the African champion with my country and I will return with the cup to my small village and my wife can celebrate with me at home pic.twitter.com/xPCkFSbKss

— 🇵🇸æmįřæ🇩🇿 (@mira02041988) February 7, 2022

Those accounts attached a picture of Sadio Mane with one of the veiled girls, by placing an emoji on her face, in reference to her being his intended wife.

#Sadio_Mane about his wife


not being present I could not in any way allow my wife to sit in the stands and be harassed. She can see me on TV like my mother, my sister and the daughters


of my village. It is my duty as a Muslim man to protect my wife, she is more valuable than the African Cup. What is the use of having a cup Africa and my wife messing with it pic.twitter.com/OotBQgF9Kl

- A word of truth does not cut off a livelihood 2 (@77las2) February 7, 2022

According to the research conducted by the "Sanad" Agency for Monitoring and Verification of Al Jazeera, the statements are false, and the image is outdated and unfounded.

The results of a reverse search via Google showed that the photo dates back to 2019 during the African Cup of Nations in Egypt, when Mane fulfilled the dream of an Egyptian fan by taking a picture with him.

In addition, the Senegalese player is not married yet, although his name was linked to sports journalist Melissa Reddy earlier through a group of reports, but the player has not confirmed it yet.