Tensions rose within the Egyptian national football team camp just hours before the start of the Arab Cup tournament, as a serious crisis erupted following the coaching staff's decision to exclude striker Ahmed Atef from the final squad, casting a shadow of tension over the Pharaohs' preparations for the important tournament.
Details of the crisis and conflicting statements
The story began with an official announcement from Ahmed Hassan, the national team director, stating that Ahmed Atef, a player for Zed FC, had been excluded for what he described as a "technical decision" by the national team's head coach, Helmy Toulan. Hassan indicated that the decision came after consultation with the player and coincided with the inclusion of Marwan Hamdi, a striker from Pyramids FC, to bolster the team's attack. However, the player's response revealed a completely different story, as he categorically denied that his exclusion was due to technical reasons or injury.
In exclusive statements to the media, Ahmed Atef expressed his deep dissatisfaction, confirming that he was surprised by the decision and that the administration intended to announce his exclusion due to injury, which he categorically denied. The player explained that he is in perfect physical condition and that the real reason behind his exclusion was to make room for the inclusion of Marwan Hamdi. Atef added, "I was asked to stay with the team until the end of the tournament, but I refused to preserve my dignity," indicating that he is experiencing a very poor psychological state as a result of this situation.
Background of the event and the importance of the tournament
This crisis comes at a critical time, as the Egyptian public has high hopes for the national team to deliver a respectable performance in the Arab Cup, a prominent Arab sporting event. Historically, the tournament holds special significance in the region, representing an opportunity for Arab teams to test their strength and compete for a prestigious regional title. For the Egyptian national team, with its rich history as one of the strongest teams in Africa and the Arab world, participation in such tournaments is a chance to reaffirm its dominance and bring joy to its fans, who are eager for success.
Expected impact and reaction from the technical staff
This crisis is expected to negatively impact morale within the camp. In short, condensed tournaments, psychological stability and harmony among the players play a crucial role in achieving results. Such public disagreements could create divisions and distract the players from their primary objective. As a swift reaction to contain the situation and prevent further tensions from leaking to the media, Ahmed Hassan made the surprising decision to close the training session, which had been scheduled to be open to the press, in an attempt to impose a veil of secrecy around the team and shield them from external pressures before the opening match.
