Egypt director Ibrahim Hassan dismisses crisis claims following meeting with FA president Hani Abu Rida

Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan has dismissed reports of internal crisis within the Pharaohs’ camp, revealing misunderstandings surrounding the technical team have been resolved following a meeting with Egyptian Football Association president Hani Abu Rida.

The meeting, which also involved EFA board member Khaled Al-Darandali, was held after Egypt’s September international camp, which attracted attention over reported tensions involving head coach Hossam Hassan, captain Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

Several issues emerged during the camp, including comments made by Hossam Hassan about El Shenawy, Salah’s departure from the squad and an alleged disagreement between Al-Darandali and the technical team during the match against South Sudan.

However, Ibrahim Hassan has played down the situation, describing the reported disagreements as misunderstandings fuelled by inaccurate information rather than a serious breakdown in relations within the national team.

Speaking on On Sport television’s On Stadium programme, the Egypt director said the meeting with the association’s leadership was conducted in a cordial atmosphere and provided an opportunity for all parties to clarify the issues.

“The issue was a misunderstanding and different points of view, and people were saying things that were not true,” Hassan said.

“When we sat with Hani Abu Rida and Khaled Al-Darandali, it was a respectful meeting and we were brothers before any work, but they were receiving wrong information.”

Hassan further suggested that certain reports surrounding the team were intended to create unnecessary controversy and undermine stability, insisting that the matter had been resolved after the parties exchanged their perspectives.

“Some are upset about the team’s successes and do not want stability. The information was being conveyed incorrectly, but after the meeting, everyone learned the details correctly and calmly, and it was all in a few minutes. There is nothing to it, the matter is over, and there are no crises. People want something, and every day there is news,” he added.

Egypt played three matches during the September period, drawing 0-0 with Angola in Cairo before recording a commanding 5-0 victory over South Sudan in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Pharaohs subsequently suffered a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in a friendly encounter.

Despite the discussions surrounding the team, Ibrahim Hassan insisted that the technical department remained focused on its immediate objectives, with preparations for the upcoming fixtures against Malawi taking priority.

“We are preparing for the Malawi matches and taking it one step at a time. We think scientifically. We want to win the matches and collect points in order to reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals, and then we will think about the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.