Mohamed Salah rested by Egypt for South Sudan match because of pitch

Mohamed Salah will not play for Egypt against South Sudan on 29 September after the Egypt Football Association raised concerns about the condition of the pitch.

The decision is intended to protect the Liverpool forward from an unsuitable synthetic playing surface, with Egypt’s coaching staff opting to preserve his physical condition.

A statement from the federation said: “The technical staff of the Egypt national football team, led by Hossam Hassan, decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the match against South Sudan scheduled for 29 September, because of the ‘tartan’ surface of the pitch.”

The federation said the decision had been agreed before Egypt’s match against Angola, following discussions between the national team staff and Salah.

“An agreement was reached before the match against Angola between the national team’s technical staff and Mohamed Salah for him not to play against South Sudan, with the technical staff preferring this solution in order to protect the player,” it added.

Egypt have previously taken precautions over Salah’s involvement on synthetic pitches. The federation’s announcement means the Pharaons will be without their captain and leading attacking player for the South Sudan fixture.