Naby Keita, a midfielder for Liverpool, was “safe and well” on Monday after an alleged military coup in Guinea prevented him and his colleagues from returning home.
When a group of troops detained 83-year-old president Alpha Conde, the 26-year-old was on international duty for a World Cup qualifier in his homeland.
Guinea’s World Cup qualifier against Morocco on Monday was postponed after hours of gunfire and turmoil.
According to a Liverpool spokesman, the club is in “continuous contact” with Keita and has had “regular communication” with his national team’s management.
The official told Britain’s PA news agency, “We are convinced that he is safe and well looked for.”
Issiaga Sylla of Toulouse, Florentin Pogba of Sochaux, Abdoulaye Sylla of Nantes, Saidou Sow of Saint-Etienne, and Clermont attacker Mohamed Bayo all play in France.
A source at one of the French teams told AFP that clubs throughout Europe were seeking to organize a private plane to bring the players back “as quickly as possible.”
On Sunday, Morocco’s team was able to leave Guinea.