Syrian star Omar Al Soma, striker for the Saudi club Al-Hazem, responded to accusations of avoiding representing his national team, Syria, in the ongoing Arab Cup tournament in Qatar.

Al-Somah said in a statement on Facebook: "I congratulate my brothers, the players of the Syrian national team, on their outstanding level and excellent performance in the Arab Cup tournament. May the cup be yours, God willing."

He continued: "Based on the communications I have received requesting a response to the statements made by the federation president Firas Teet and the administrator Mowafaq Fathallah, who accused me of not responding or cooperating with my call-up to the national team, I would like to clarify to the fans and the sports community that I always respond when called up to the national team and have never neglected my duty."

Al-Somah concluded in his statement: "Out of concern for the interests of the national team and my fellow players during their participation in this tournament, I will reserve the right to respond and provide a full clarification after the tournament concludes, God willing."

Officials of the Syrian Football Federation had accused Al-Soma of ignoring their invitation to join the Syrian national team in the Arab Cup.