Hamed Hamdan explains Palestine absence ahead of Iran friendly

Pyramids FC midfielder Hamed Hamdan says he declined to join Palestine’s training camp because of “clear and valid” reasons linked to principles and personal dignity.

Hamdan issued a statement before Palestine’s friendly against Iran in Iraq on Saturday, after his omission from manager Ihab Abu Jazar’s squad prompted questions. He said representing Palestine remained a major honour and a lifelong ambition, rejecting suggestions that he had stayed away for insignificant reasons.

“I am deeply honoured to represent our national team, a dream I have always worked to achieve, raise the name of our country and wear its flag with pride,” Hamdan said in a message posted on his official Instagram account.

The Pyramids FC player added that he had previously made significant sacrifices to play for Palestine, doing so willingly because of his love for and connection to the country.

He questioned how anyone could believe he had missed international duty for unconvincing reasons, pointing to his previous موقف and commitment to the national team. Hamdan said he did not need repeatedly to prove his patriotism while others questioned his loyalty.

“My apology for not joining this camp was not because of weak or unconvincing reasons,” he said. “Everyone knows the truth about my position and its causes. They are clear, direct and valid reasons related to principles and dignity that cannot be negotiated or compromised.”

Hamdan said those principles reflected values held by the Palestinian people, who would not accept any reduction of their dignity or worth. He also insisted that his love for Palestine was not open to challenge and that his decision should not be used to cast doubt on his commitment to the national side.

He concluded by saying he respected and appreciated everyone, but would not accept attempts to damage his reputation or distort his position. He said he had made the statement to clarify the facts and prevent his absence being interpreted without reference to its real causes.

Hamdan did not provide further details about the disagreement or circumstances that prevented him from joining the camp.

Palestine will use Saturday’s match in Iraq as preparation for upcoming commitments, with attention also drawn to the absence of Zamalek player Adam Kaied and ZED’s Wajdi Nabhan.

Six members of the squad play in the Egyptian league: Zamalek forward Oday Dabbagh, Al Masry player Emad Sawafteh, Petrojet pair Badr Mousa and Abdulhadi Rashed, Ceramica Cleopatra’s Khaled Al-Nabrees and Arab Contractors player Anas Bani Ouda.

The goalkeepers are Abdulhadi Yassin, Rami Hamada and Mahdi Assi. The defenders selected are Musab Battat, Khaled Abu Al-Hija, Ali Rabai, Maher Darwish, Emad Mahajneh, Yasser Hamed and Milad Termanini.

The midfield group comprises Khaled Dader, Emad Sawafteh, Augustine Mansour, Abdulhadi Rashed and Ahmed Al-Qaq. The forwards are Anas Bani Ouda, Badr Mousa, Zaid Qunbar, Samer Zbeidi, Khaled Al-Nabrees, Asad Hamlaoui, Anas Hamlaoui and Oday Dabbagh.