Is the crisis over? New details in the Salah and Egypt national team file
A government statement reveals what took place between Abu Rida and the Minister of Sport
Mohamed El-Shazly, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Egypt, has revealed where things stand in the crisis between Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah, who left the camp following the Angola match in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah was unhappy with Hossam Hassan's decision to haul him off against Angola after 60 minutes. The row escalated into his exit from the camp, and Egypt went on to play their next two games without him: South Sudan in the same qualifiers, then the friendly against South Africa yesterday.
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Speaking to the Egyptian channel Modern MTI, as carried by the Al Arabiya website on Monday, El-Shazly said the dispute between Salah and Egypt's technical staff is heading towards a resolution. The mood inside the camp, he confirmed, is settling.
"There is currently no crisis between Salah and the technical staff," he explained, before pointing out that November's camp will see the captain return.
The national team, he added, is on a positive path built on discipline and the right environment to rekindle the spirit that defined their World Cup campaign. What happened recently must be forgotten, he stressed, and must leave no negative effects in the period ahead.
"Mohamed Salah is one of the most important icons of Egyptian sport throughout its history, and he is keen for calm to prevail in the atmosphere of Egypt, and he will be present in the next camp," El-Shazly insisted.
Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil, El-Shazly revealed, is in contact with all of Egypt's professional players abroad, not just Salah, since they are ambassadors of the state. The minister had also spoken to Football Association president Hany Abo Rida about restoring calm and discipline to the national team, with the aim of bringing back the dressing-room atmosphere of the World Cup.
Egypt face Malawi in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on 11 and 15 November, in the third and fourth rounds.
