Ahmed Shobair criticises Hussein Amouta after Al Ahly incident involving Ali Mahmoud

Ahmed Shobair has criticised Al Ahly manager Hussein Amouta after the Moroccan appeared to push Ali Mahmoud during Wednesday’s match.

Ali Mahmoud was substituted and greeted football director Wael Gomaa before approaching Amouta. The manager appeared angry, pulled the player towards him, spoke to him and then pushed him with both hands in an incident which attracted considerable attention.

Speaking on the radio on Thursday, Shobair said he initially believed the player had done something wrong after seeing footage of the exchange.

“When Ali Mahmoud came off yesterday, I was watching television until the videos reached me later that night and I saw what happened with Amouta,” he said.

“At first, I thought Ali was at fault. I thought he must have done or said something, because there was a push from Hussein Amouta. I kept asking myself: ‘Why would Ali do that when he knows the system at Al Ahly and is still a young player?’

“Until I became certain, beyond any doubt, that the boy had done absolutely nothing.”

Shobair also questioned reports that Mahmoud had been referred for an investigation.

“On what basis? He did nothing to be sent for an investigation,” he said. “The manager perhaps thought he was leaving upset or frustrated. The boy waved, shook hands properly with Wael Gomaa and then greeted the manager from a distance. Maybe that annoyed Amouta.

“But even if you are unhappy with him, these matters should be dealt with in the dressing room.”

Shobair said Mahmoud had not behaved provocatively as he left the pitch.

“There were no problems, but pushing players in front of people is not acceptable,” he added. “The player did nothing. He did not kick anything, hit anything, pull a face, swear or do anything at all. He simply walked off looking normally disappointed.

“Amouta needs to be aware of these things because they are not in the interests of the whole group.”

The former Al Ahly goalkeeper also said supporters were unhappy with the team’s performances and the way matches were being managed after the club’s 1/ draw with Al Mokawloon.

“Al Ahly fans are not happy with the way the games are being managed, particularly the substitutions,” Shobair said. “There is a clear lack of satisfaction with how matches are being handled.

“Look at Mokwena with Pyramids. He beat Al Masry, beat Ghazl El Mahalla in El Mahalla, beat El Gouna and beat Gor Mahia 2-0 in Gor Mahia. Things are going well for him.”

Shobair urged Amouta to review the situation with his coaching staff, warning that the Al Ahly support was already demanding improvement.

“Al Ahly’s fans are very powerful, and yesterday they filled their section,” he said. “The supporters are not happy or satisfied.”

He also rejected calls for another immediate managerial change, after the club had already moved from Ribeiro to Emad El Nahhas and then Torop.

“Are you going to change the manager every five matches?” he asked. “There has already been a great deal of confusion at Al Ahly. The draw with Al Mokawloon came after an extremely poor performance. Do not tell me referee Mahmoud Bassiouny caused the draw or the loss of two points.”

Shobair said the club needed calm, while maintaining proper communication and accountability between its officials and Amouta.