Al Ahly has locked down its camp as the pressure mounts ahead of their crucial Club World Cup showdown with Palmeiras on Thursday.
Determined to avoid any distractions, sports director Mohamed Youssef has placed the entire team under strict restrictions in New Jersey.
A stormy team meeting saw Youssef make it clear no one is above team discipline, citing winger Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet as a prime example. Despite his stature in Egyptian football and experience abroad, Trezeguet was fined a hefty one million pounds after taking an unauthorized penalty in the draw against Inter Miami.
“Trezeguet sacrificed millions to return to Al Ahly,” Youssef reminded the squad, “yet the rules still applied to him—doubly.”
Youssef has banned players from engaging with media or using social media without clearance. Any missed chances in upcoming games, especially against Palmeiras, will also come at a cost.
The club has deployed extra security around the hotel and team floors to maintain focus and limit access as they chase Club World Cup glory.
