Al Ahly, the Cairo-based football club, has strongly criticized Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan over his recent comments concerning goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Hassan made the remarks during a press conference ahead of Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola. El Shenawy, captain of both Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team, was not included in the squad for the current international window due to an injury and subsequent rehabilitation program at Al Ahly.
Hassan's comments sparked controversy when he described El Shenawy as having once been "finished" at club level. A source close to Hassan later clarified that the coach meant El Shenawy wasn't starting regularly for Al Ahly at the time, not that his career was over. However, Al Ahly waited until after Egypt's goalless draw with Angola on Friday to issue a strongly worded statement, describing Hassan's remarks as "irresponsible" and unacceptable.
Al Ahly's statement emphasized that the club would not accept any attack on the "technical or moral value" of its players, particularly El Shenawy. The club acknowledged Hassan's right to select or exclude players based on technical decisions but argued that this did not give him the right to make disrespectful comments. Al Ahly also objected to Hassan's remarks about midfielder Emam Ashour, suggesting that the national team had previously called up Ashour to help prepare him for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Cairo club expressed concern that Hassan's comments showed a misunderstanding of the respective responsibilities of clubs and national teams in preparing players for international duty. Al Ahly further rejected Hassan's reported criticism of the standard of football played by Egyptian clubs, saying such comments diminished domestic teams and competitions. The club is awaiting a response from the Egyptian Football Association regarding what it described as unacceptable remarks from the national team coach.
The dispute highlights tensions between Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. El Shenawy's absence from the current squad due to injury has sparked debate about the team's preparation and player selection. Al Ahly's criticism of Hassan's comments has brought attention to the complex relationships between clubs and national teams in Egyptian football.
The Egyptian Football Association has yet to respond to Al Ahly's statement, but the controversy is likely to continue sparking debate in Egyptian football circles. Hassan's comments have raised questions about the boundaries of acceptable criticism in football and the roles of clubs and national teams in player development. The incident may have implications for future collaborations between Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team.
The situation will be closely watched by Egyptian football fans and stakeholders, with many awaiting the Egyptian Football Association's response to Al Ahly's concerns. The controversy has highlighted the need for clear communication and mutual respect between clubs and national teams in Egyptian football.
Key points
- Al Ahly criticizes Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for "irresponsible" comments on goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
- Hassan's remarks sparked controversy, leading to a strongly worded statement from Al Ahly.
- The dispute highlights tensions between Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
