Egypt's goal keeper Essam El-Hadary (Photo: Reuters)
Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary will not join Egypt’s national team in Brazil on 14 November for a friendly after Sudanese club Merriekh grounded him for disciplinary reasons.
“El-Hadary is a trouble-maker, and as a punishment, we will not allow him the honour of playing against Brazil,” Merriekh chairman Gamal El-Wali was quoted as saying in Sudan’s Al-Sada newspaper on Monday.
Egypt’s new technical staff, under the guidance of new American manager Bob Bradley, has contacted the Sudanese side to call up the Pharaohs long-time keeper for national duty.
“El-Hadary is our number-one choice,” Abdel-Fattah told Ahram Online on Monday.
“We have sent a fax to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to demand freezing the player’s participation in any international competitions outside the club due to his careless attitude,” El-Wali added.
The 38-year old keeper is currently boycotting Merriekh on the grounds that the club refuses to pay him his salary. He has already lodged complaints to the Sudanese Football Association and the FIFA.
“How come the EFA ask us for the service of a player who is totally uncommitted to us. We totally disapprove,” El-Wali insisted.
The Pharaohs shot-stopper announced he won’t return to Merreikh, asking his agent to discuss the termination of his contract.
He has endured constant problems since leaving Egyptian champions Ahly in an acrimonious manner in 2008. El-Hadary has also had disputes with Egyptian clubs Ismaily and Zamalek.
The former Ahly, Zamalek, Ismaily and FC Scion man played a key role in securing Egypt’s three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
El-Hadary played in Egypt’s 4-3 defeat to Brazil in their last meeting during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
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