Egyptian Handball Federation responds to Seif El-Deraa’s Friday prayer complaint

The Egyptian Handball Federation has said it was not responsible for scheduling Barcelona’s match against Pinheiros at the same time as Friday prayers, after Seif El-Deraa criticised the decision.

A federation source told FilGoal.com that the organisation’s role was limited to overseeing the tournament, while the International Handball Federation was responsible for setting the fixtures.

“Seif El-Deraa’s complaint that Barcelona’s match against Pinheiros clashed with Friday prayers? We are only the body supervising the tournament, and the International Handball Federation is responsible for the match timings,” the source said.

Barcelona’s match against Brazilian side Pinheiros was played at the same time as Friday prayers. The fixture was part of the opening round of group matches at the Handball Club World Cup, which is being hosted by Egypt.

El-Deraa criticised the scheduling during an interview with On Sport channel.

“Before I talk about the match against Pinheiros, I want to say something. We are in a Muslim country and we are playing on Friday at the same time as prayers. That cannot happen at all,” he said.

“I do not know who is responsible for this, whether they are Egyptian or not, but it is completely unacceptable.”

The Barcelona player said he had left the team to attend prayers before returning during the first half.

“I was not with my team. I went to perform the prayer and came back again during the middle of the first half, because this is not right,” he added.

El-Deraa also questioned why the timing of another match had been changed, while Barcelona’s fixture remained unaffected.

“The timing of Zamalek’s match against Al Montada Al Maghribi was also at the same time as prayers, but it was changed. So why did the same thing not happen with Barcelona’s match?” he said.

He went on to say that players competing in Europe respected the customs and traditions of their host countries, but that this should not mean abandoning their own beliefs.

“As players, when we become professionals in Europe, we respect their culture and traditions,” El-Deraa said.

“But it is not right for us simply to follow them and say that they are always right, and that we cannot say no to them. This is our religion.”

Barcelona defeated Pinheiros 44-33 in their opening group-stage match.

Barcelona, Pinheiros, Zamalek and Al Montada Al Maghribi are in Group A.