Rabat – Al Ahly have strongly criticized Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan over comments concerning goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, accusing the national team boss of overstepping the boundaries of acceptable criticism.
The dispute followed Hassan’s remarks during a press conference ahead of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola, when he defended his selection decisions and referred to a previous period in El Shenawy’s career.
“El Shenawy was finished with his club at one point and he played with us in the national team,” Hassan said.
El Shenawy, captain of both Al Ahly and a senior figure in the Egyptian national team, was not included in the squad for the current international window. He has also been undergoing a rehabilitation program at Al Ahly following an injury.
A source close to Hassan later told Egyptian media that the coach had not intended to insult the goalkeeper. According to the source, Hassan meant that El Shenawy had not been starting regularly for Al Ahly at the time, rather than suggesting that his career was over.
Al Ahly condemn Hassan’s comments
Al Ahly waited until after Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola on Friday before issuing a strongly worded statement describing Hassan’s remarks as “irresponsible.”
The club said it would not accept any attack on the “technical or moral value” of its players, particularly El Shenawy, given his status as captain of both club and country.
Al Ahly acknowledged Hassan’s right to select or exclude any player based on his technical decisions, but argued that this did not give him the right to make comments it considered disrespectful.
The Cairo club also objected to Hassan’s remarks about midfielder Emam Ashour, after the Egypt coach suggested that the national team had previously called up the Al Ahly player in order to help prepare him before the Africa Cup of Nations.
Al Ahly said clubs are responsible for preparing players for national-team duty and described Hassan’s comments on the matter as showing a misunderstanding of the respective responsibilities of clubs and national teams.
The club further rejected Hassan’s reported criticism of the standard of football played by Egyptian clubs, saying such comments diminished domestic teams and competitions.
Al Ahly concluded by saying it is awaiting a response from the Egyptian Football Association regarding what it described as unacceptable remarks from the national team coach.
