The Egyptian Football Association has expressed worry over the inability to reach Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their international friendly games later this month.
Salah is among the seven foreign-based players in Hossam Hassan’s first squad list since he was appointed Egypt’s head coach on February 8.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year has missed Liverpool’s last four matches in all competitions and it remains to be seen if he would be available for the Reds’ Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
Egypt are scheduled to take part in the Winsunited Cup during the March international break in the United Arab Emirates alongside Tunisia, Croatia, and New Zealand, and Salah is considered a key part of the team.
Reports claimed that Liverpool informed the Egyptian Football Association not to involve Salah in this month’s international window but the Egyptian FA turned down the request as they prefer to wait till the last minute and evaluate his fitness.
A member of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), Ehab El-Komy confirmed that new national team leadership under the Hassan brothers are yet to hold talks with Salah but the country’s Sports Ministry has interfered.
“The Egyptian national team, led by Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan, can’t communicate with Mohamed Salah so far,” El-Komy said, per KingFut.
“So far, there hasn’t been any meeting between Hossam Hassan and Mohamed Salah, but there is no dispute between the two parties. “The Minister of Sports will hold a session between the two parties to create a conducive atmosphere within the team.
“The relationship between the Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi and Mohamed Salah is excellent. There is an agreement between the EFA and him to work on resolving any issues related to the national team.”
Salah’s last game was in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Brentford on February 17 and he was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt due to an injury.
