Media figure Ahmed Shobir commented on the recent news regarding the participation of Sudan's Al-Merrikh in the Egyptian league next season.

Shobir stated in radio remarks: "There are a lot of news saying since yesterday that Al-Merrikh Club will participate in the Egyptian league next season, yes why?! They say that Shawky Gharib, the coach of Al-Merrikh, is a close associate of Hani Abou Rida. Well, I am also a close associate of Hani Abou Rida and I have a very nice club in Rwanda that wants to participate in the Egyptian league, and several people close to Hani Abou Rida can bring a team to play in the league."

He continued: "Also, the Football Association did well and issued an early statement confirming that there is no basis for the participation of Al-Merrikh in the Egyptian league, neither closely nor remotely, and I liked that they addressed this issue from the beginning and dispelled this controversy. Moreover, it is not appropriate to keep linking everything to Hani Abou Rida and these matters."

Al-Merrikh had to leave the Sudanese league and participate in the Mauritanian league due to the political circumstances in Sudan.