Al Ahly FC's fiery response to Hossam Hassan

Al Ahly FC has issued an official statement in response to comments made by national team coach Hossam Hassan regarding Mohamed El Shenawy, the goalkeeper of the Red team, concerning the goalkeeper's exclusion from the national team roster.

Hossam Hassan, the head coach of the Egypt national team, made strong statements regarding the exclusion of Mohamed El Shenawy, goalkeeper of Al Ahly FC, from the Pharaohs' squad for the ongoing September camp.

Al Ahly FC stated: "In the interest of the national team, as is the habit of Al Ahly in all situations, which have often forced us to participate in major tournaments, foremost among them the FIFA World Cup, without our international players, the club has chosen to remain silent regarding the irresponsible comments made by the national team coach until after our match against Angola."

He continued: "This is in order to protect the public interest, which the national team coach disregarded, crossing a line that is unacceptable, both in form and substance, against one of our players. Any player representing the club, and any harm to their technical and moral value is not permissible, let alone the captain of Al Ahly FC and the Egypt national team, Mohamed El Shenawy?!".

He continued: "Moreover, the head coach's comments about including our player Imam Ashour before the FIFA World Cup to prepare him demonstrate a lack of understanding of the boundaries of responsibility, and contradict what is happening worldwide. Our club always prepares its players for national teams and takes pride in being their biggest supporter. The head coach has the right to include or exclude any player, but he does not have the right to make such statements that undermine the mutual respect between the elements of the football system."

He added: "As for the opinion of the national team coach that Egyptian clubs do not provide football, this undermines the value of the clubs and the football competitions organized by the Egyptian Football Association and the Professional Clubs Association. However, it was necessary for him not to include Al Ahly FC in his limited vision."

The statement concluded: "In conclusion, while the club expresses its deep dissatisfaction with these statements, it has not overlooked the appreciation expressed by the President of the Egyptian Football Association regarding the value of Mohamed El Shenawy, and it awaits the Football Association's position regarding these transgressions that should not be made by the national team's head coach."