Ibrahim Hassan to file prosecutor complaint over Mohamed Salah claims at Egypt camp

Egypt’s national team has denied reports of unrest involving Mohamed Salah and other players, while team director Ibrahim Hassan says he will file a complaint with Egypt’s public prosecutor against a television programme that discussed the allegations.

The claims emerged during Egypt’s camp for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Egypt began the campaign with a goalless draw against Angola before responding with a 5-0 victory over South Sudan. They are due to complete the camp with a friendly against South Africa at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking on Al Kora Ma’ Fayeq on MBC Egypt 2, Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Basit said tensions had developed within the squad.

Abdel Basit claimed Khaled El-Dirarndaly, a member of the Egyptian Football Association board and head of the delegation in South Sudan, could take action against Ibrahim Hassan if he submitted a report detailing events during the trip. He said that action could include Ibrahim Hassan’s dismissal.

He also alleged that several players were unhappy with head coach Hossam Hassan because of what he described as verbal abuse directed at players during the Angola match, particularly on the substitutes’ bench after Salah was taken off.

“Should Khaled El-Dirarndaly submit his report to the Egyptian Football Association with details of everything that happened at the camp, Ibrahim Hassan, the team director, will be dismissed,” Abdel Basit said.

He added that Ibrahim Hassan had directed offensive remarks at some players after the match, causing anger within the squad. According to Abdel Basit’s account, Hossam Hassan then attempted to resolve the situation, apologised and calmed the players.

Abdel Basit further claimed Salah left the camp feeling angry and that the incident had created tension among the squad. He said the details had reached El-Dirarndaly and suggested some players could miss the next camp if the situation was not addressed.

The journalist named Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Abdelmonem among those who might not report for the next gathering, alongside other players.

Egypt officials reject allegations

Egypt team media officer Mohamed Mourad rejected the claims in messages sent to journalists. He said Ibrahim Hassan had not insulted or sworn at any player during or after the Angola match.

Mourad also denied that Hossam Hassan and Salah had been involved in a confrontation. He said videos showing the coach and the Egypt captain on the substitutes’ bench did not depict an argument.

He explained that the coaching staff had not held a meeting with the players after the match. Instead, the staff were in a small room at Cairo International Stadium while the players remained in the dressing room. Everyone later travelled to the hotel, where Hossam Hassan met the squad at dinner and sought to support and encourage them.

Mourad also insisted there was no collective anger within the team and no agreement among groups of players to boycott the next camp.

Ibrahim Hassan has now escalated the dispute through legal action.

“I will file a complaint with the public prosecutor against Al Kora Ma’ Fayeq; the lawyer has already begun the procedures,” he told Yalla Kora.

The allegations and the official denials have turned reports about Egypt’s camp into a public dispute, with legal proceedings and official reports expected to establish what took place.