Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was on target with a terrific effort for Egypt in his latest appearance for the national team but the forward has courted controversy once again.
The Egyptian FA have responded to claims Liverpool star Mo Salah REFUSED to be substituted in his latest appearance for his country.
The 31-year-old forward played a full part over the latest round of internationals. The Pharaohs took on Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup due to take place in the USA.
Salah scored in the second game – a stunning strike that secured a 1-1 draw. He was however later embroiled in controversy.
Mostafa Fathi and Nasser Maher were preparing to come in on stoppage time but only the latter was substituted on. Some believed that Fathi was due to come on for Salah but he instead sat back down in the bench again.
An official statement has now confirmed that Salah did not refuse to come off. It read: “There is absolutely no truth to the rumours that Mohamed Salah refused to leave the pitch. Salah was not going to be substituted off in the first place. Hossam Hassan was content with only bringing on Nasser Maher.”
It is not the first time that Salah has been involved in controversy for Egypt. Salah was left out of the squad in March as he attempted to overcome a hamstring injury.
He had previously made his return in a Europa League clash against Sparta Prague – but was still left out of his nation’s selection. Addressing the situation, EFA board member Walid El-Attar said: “There was communication between Liverpool, the EFA, and Mohamed Salah. There was also an exchange of official letters in which Salah’s full injury condition was explained.
“Official communication is the most important, and this is what happened between Liverpool and the EFA. Personally, I had a phone call with Mohamed Salah.
“The general idea is that Salah needs to return to the pitch gradually, and this is already happening with Liverpool. He needs continuous monitoring with the medical team.
“Salah will be absent from the upcoming Egyptian national team camp, but he will be present normally during the international break in June, which is the most important, as we will play World Cup qualifiers during that time.
“Mohamed Salah does not at all object to joining the Egyptian national team at any time. On the contrary, Salah loves to play for Egypt. Everyone in the EFA and the Egyptian national team aims to promote the interest of the national team, as well as Mohamed Salah.”
That incident came after Salah was forced to leave the Egypt camp early during the African Cup of Nations due to injury in January.
