"You misunderstood me": Hossam Hassan ends the controversy: El Shenawy is my brother, I was talking about the injury

Al-Ameed's clarification

Hossam Hassan has drawn a line under the storm that blew up over his comments about Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy. The Pharaohs boss insists his words were misinterpreted and that he holds nothing but respect for every one of his players.

El-Captain had appeared to take aim at El-Shenawy in the press conference before the goalless draw with Angola. "At one point Mohamed El-Shenawy was finished and was not playing with his club, yet he returned to his level through the Egypt national team. Not only him, but other players too," he said.

Speaking ahead of Egypt's clash with South Sudan, Hassan moved swiftly to set the record straight and hit back at claims he had belittled the Al-Ahly captain.

"My comments about Mohamed El-Shenawy's statements were misunderstood. I respect everyone," Hassan said.

He then spelled out what he had actually meant. "I said that El-Shenawy at that time had a shoulder injury, and I did not mean to belittle any individual, as they are all my brothers and my sons."

The coach was keen to underline the goalkeeper's status. "El-Shenawy is one of the players who have been loyal to the national team, and we trust him and all the goalkeepers," he added.

El-Captain rounded off his message with a nod to the rest of the squad. "All appreciation to the great players such as Mohamed Hany, those present, and the absent players," he said.

The clarification shuts down the speculation and hands the focus back to the camp before the South Sudan game, with the coaching staff determined to keep the mood settled and the group united.