Al Ahly has expressed strong discontent with Egypt’s national team coach, Hossam Hassan, after he made controversial comments regarding goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. The tension arose during a pre-match press conference ahead of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola, where Hassan’s remarks were interpreted as crossing the line of appropriate criticism.
Dispute Over El Shenawy’s Inclusion
Hossam Hassan’s controversial statements included a point where he referred to a past phase in El Shenawy’s career, suggesting that the goalkeeper had experienced a downturn in form. “El Shenawy was finished with his club at one point and he played with us in the national team,” Hassan stated. This comment has not only drawn the ire of Al Ahly but also raised eyebrows among fans and analysts. El Shenawy is a key player for both Al Ahly, where he serves as captain, and the Egyptian national team, though he has recently been sidelined due to injury and is currently involved in a rehabilitation process.
Following Hassan’s comments, a source close to the coach clarified that there was no intention to offend El Shenawy. The source explained that Hassan was merely indicating that El Shenawy had not been a regular starter for Al Ahly during that specific period. However, the clarification has done little to quell the backlash from Al Ahly and its supporters.
Al Ahly’s Strong Response
Al Ahly held off on issuing a formal complaint until after Egypt’s scoreless draw against Angola, following which the club released a forceful statement denouncing Hassan’s comments as “irresponsible.” The club underscored its commitment to defending the “technical and moral value” of its players, particularly emphasizing El Shenawy’s stature within both the club and the national setup.
While acknowledging Hassan’s right to make team selections based on his assessment of players’ performances, Al Ahly firmly stated that such authority does not justify comments deemed disrespectful. Additionally, the Cairo-based club took issue with Hassan’s remarks regarding midfielder Emam Ashour. The coach implied that Ashour’s previous call-ups were primarily to prepare him for the Africa Cup of Nations, a comment Al Ahly felt misrepresented the role of clubs in preparing players for international duty.
Concerns Over Coach’s Criticism
Al Ahly also objected to Hassan’s criticisms of the standard of football in Egyptian clubs. They argued that such statements undermine the quality and credibility of domestic competitions. The club believes that the national team’s head coach should foster a sense of unity and respect among all stakeholders in Egyptian football rather than diminish its stature through public disparagement.
In conclusion, Al Ahly is currently awaiting a response from the Egyptian Football Association regarding Hassan’s statements, which they view as unacceptable. The situation has created a rift that not only affects El Shenawy and Al Ahly but could also have wider implications on the national team dynamics and the relationship between clubs and the national football governing body. As tensions mount, the need for constructive dialogue and mutual respect among parties involved in Egyptian football has never been more urgent.