Diao, along with Potters team-mates Abdoulaye Faye and Ibrahima Sonko, was caught up in crowd trouble in Dakar after their side's 1-1 draw with Gambia on Saturday.

The result means Senegal will not play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa or the African Nations Cup in the same year.

Senegal's fans were furious at their failure to qualify and hurled stones and metal bars on to the pitch before rioting in the streets.

Diao told the Stoke Sentinel: "The frustration was too much to handle for a lot of them.

"There are always some trouble-makers - and after the game, some of them tried to destroy the stadium. They also burned tyres on the main road and the football federation headquarters. They weren't happy.

"We had to stay in the changing rooms from 6pm until 10pm before we could come out of the stadium in undercover cars to get back to our hotel.

"I've not experienced that before, but I know there were similar problems two years ago when we missed qualifying for the last World Cup.

"Then, they stoned the bus while the players were on it. This time no one wanted to take a chance on the bus, so we had to sit in the changing rooms."

Diao added: "Sometimes people don't see just how big football is for these African countries.

"It is not just about winning a football match - you are also fixing big social issues. If it doesn't work then there is trouble."