Mohamed Morad, the media coordinator for the Egyptian national team, revealed the truth about Mohamed Salah's statement regarding the penalty awarded to the Pharaohs in the match against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Egyptian national team defeated the South African national team 1-0, with Mohamed Salah scoring from a penalty in the first half's added time (45+1 minute).

After the match, Hugo Broos said that Salah told him after the game that the penalty kick was not valid.

Mohamed Morad said in statements on "beIN Sports": "This statement, with all due respect to the head coach of the South African national team, can only be described as a humorous remark, and such talk cannot affect a player of the caliber and value of Mohamed Salah."

He added: "There are some coaches who are skilled at making provocative statements after a loss, aiming to divert attention from the result or performance. I believe what Hugo Broos did falls into this category, especially since what transpired between him and Mohamed Salah after the match did not go beyond the usual courtesies, such as wishing each other good luck, without any discussion about the penalty kick or the course of the game."

He continued: "I absolutely do not believe that a player with the mentality of Mohamed Salah would make such statements. There is a match referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, and all respect and appreciation to the refereeing team. The penalty was clear and correct."

He continued: "The most important thing for us is the victory of the Egyptian national team and securing three important points. Attention should not be diverted to such side remarks; rather, the focus should be on the performance and the result."

He emphasized: "I categorically and definitively deny that any word or indication has come from Mohamed Salah on this matter, and no such conversation has ever taken place."

He concluded: "Some coaches resort to diverting attention away from their teams' losses by creating media controversy, which is what happened in this incident. I personally spoke with Mohamed Salah, who categorically denied having said anything of the sort, and I confirm that this statement was intended solely as a distraction."