Egypt's Al Ahly club has denied reports that it requested the Egyptian Football Association to prevent its players from participating in the national team's upcoming match against South Africa. The controversy began after Al Ahly's goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shenawy, was left out of the national team's squad. Al Ahly's member of the board of directors, Mohamed El-Damati, clarified the club's stance, emphasizing that Al Ahly had already issued a statement on the matter.
El-Damati appeared on the TV program "Al-Soora Ma'a Lemis El-Hedidi" on a local channel, addressing the rumors. He stated that Al Ahly's message had been clearly conveyed to the Egyptian Football Association and that there was no truth to the claims of blocking players from the national team. El-Damati expressed confidence that the issue had been resolved and that Al Ahly would continue to support its players, including El-Shenawy.
The controversy surrounding El-Shenawy began after the national team's coach, Hossam Hassan, made comments that seemed to criticize the goalkeeper. Hassan described El-Shenawy as "finished" and excluded him from the national team's recent squad. Al Ahly responded by issuing a statement, reaffirming its support for El-Shenawy and emphasizing that the club would not tolerate any infringement on its players' rights.
El-Damati reiterated Al Ahly's commitment to supporting all its players, including El-Shenawy. He emphasized that the goalkeeper was a valuable member of the team and had a distinguished career, having played in the World Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Olympics. El-Damati expressed hope that the issue would be put to rest and that the focus would shift to the national team's upcoming matches.
The Egyptian national team is set to face South Africa in an upcoming match. The team's coach, Hossam Hassan, recently called up a replacement for injured player Mohamed Salah. Hassan's decision came after Salah's injury, which raised concerns about the team's chances in the upcoming matches.
Al Ahly's statement in support of El-Shenawy was seen as a strong message to the Egyptian Football Association and the national team's coaching staff. The club's stance reflects its commitment to protecting its players' rights and ensuring their well-being. El-Damati's comments aimed to put an end to speculation about Al Ahly's stance on the issue.
The controversy surrounding El-Shenawy and Al Ahly's response highlights the complex relationships between Egyptian football clubs and the national team. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing club and national team interests in Egyptian football. Al Ahly's support for El-Shenawy demonstrates the club's dedication to its players and sets a precedent for future cases.
Key points
- Al Ahly denies blocking players from Egypt's national team for the upcoming match against South Africa.
- The controversy began after Al Ahly's goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shenawy, was left out of the national team's squad.
- Al Ahly reiterates its support for El-Shenawy, emphasizing the club's commitment to protecting its players' rights.
