Egypt

Crisis erupts within football team as popular singer violates orders, visits players

A crisis within the national football team erupted as popular singer Nader Anwar Gaber, known as Abul Leef, entered the players’ rooms and took photos with them, violating instructions by national football coach Bob Bradley.

Bradley had earlier warned against distractions to the Egyptian national football players. He also instructed players not to speak to media or fans since the beginning of the trainings.

The team will meet the Ghanaian national team on Tuesday for the second leg of the Africa World Cup playoff. During the first-leg match played in October, Egypt lost 6-1.

The attacker Amr Zaki was slammed as photos, some of which showed him with Abul Leef while flashing victory signs and others showing gestures in support of Defense Minister abdel Fattah al-Sisi, were circulated on social media platforms. This is in violation of Egyptian Football Association (EFA)’s instructions not to display political signs.

EFA board member Hassan Farid, who supervises the team, contacted Samir Adly, the team’s administrative director, to inquire about the incidents. However, Adli denied they occured.

On Sunday, Farid conducted non-official investigations over the incidents and met with the technical team as well as Zaki.

The Ministry of Sport announced that it will inquire about the incident and investigate it.

Meanwhile, Abul Leef told Al-Masry Al-Youm he visited the camp in order to encourage the players ahead of the Ghana match. “I was keen on taking photos with the players,” he added.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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