When Egypt’s captain Mohamed Salah limped off the field at halftime against Ghana in a group game in the Africa of Nations (AFCON), the injury was not only of immense concern to the team, their fans and Egypt’s prospects of winning the title, but produced a fury of reaction, mostly anger. A few conspiracy theories were also thrown in for good measure, writes Alaa Abdel-Ghani.
Criticism is mounting over the hamstring injury, mainly over who should be in charge of Salah’s treatment and, even if he cannot play, his absence off the field as a mentor to his teammates as Egypt progresses to the round of 16.
The 31-year-old sustained the injury during Egypt’s 2-2 draw against Ghana last week and it was initially said he would miss the last group game against Cape Verde and, should Egypt progress, the first knockout match.
Egypt did advance to the second stage after tying 2-2 with Cape Verde in the final group game on Monday. But Salah’s prognosis changed, from out for about a week, to the semi-final.
It then became out until the final, as was predicted by Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp.
As it stood on Monday, Salah’s agent Rami Abbas said on his X account that Salah “will be out for 21-28 days”.
A statement on Salah’s Liverpool club website confirmed the bad news, saying the injury is “worse than first feared.
“Salah will immediately begin work with the club’s medical staff upon his return to Merseyside with a view to being back in action as soon as possible for club and country,” the club added.
So, Salah is set to leave the Pharaohs’ camp in Cote d’Ivoire to complete his rehabilitation at the Premier League club.
If Salah is out for 21 days from the date he sustained the injury, he would not be available again until 8 February, three days before the AFCON final on 11 February.
The biggest gripe from the public and former players and coaches in Egypt is not the injury itself but who was responsible for treatment, Egyptian doctors or those in Liverpool, and the fact that Salah would be leaving the team at a critical time, even if he is out of action.
The reaction came fast and furious. Egypt’s former captain and four-time AFCON winner Ahmed Hassan blasted Salah’s decision to leave the national team camp following his injury. “Salah is certainly an extraordinary player. He is the captain of the team and just like the coach, the captain’s role is on and off the pitch. He should stay with the team no matter what, even if he had one leg to stand on,” Hassan said, claiming without proof: “It turned out that he was plotting his departure from the Egypt camp” (on the assumption that Salah was not playing well in the two matches he was involved in AFCON).
Former Egypt defender Hani Ramzi slammed Salah for his decision to leave the national team camp and return to Liverpool. “The timing of Salah’s departure from the camp is shocking and what’s disappointing to me is that he could’ve had members of Liverpool’s medical staff with him in Ivory Coast for treatment,” Ramzi told DMC TV.
“I would never make that decision if I was in his shoes. It’s possible that his club put him under pressure but it was crucial for him to be there for his teammates.”
“We are always promised chaos,” Diyaa Al-Sayed, who coached Salah over three different spells, said.
“What was told after Salah’s injury is that the player would miss just two matches, and there was no accurate diagnosis.
“I am against the idea of Salah going back to England, while the details of the injury are not disclosed. I trust the doctor of the Egyptian national team.
“Salah is now affiliated with the Egyptian Football Association and they are the decision-maker along with the coaching staff.”
Egypt’s legendary defender Wa’el Gomaa opened fire at the EFA and Salah. “What happened regarding Salah’s injury is a major insult to the Egyptian national team and its history in the African continent.
“What happened from start to finish was a very big mistake, and everyone involved contributed to this disgrace. Everything happening now in the national team reflects the nature of football in Egypt.
“Salah made a mistake, and no one disagrees with that; he bears part of the responsibility.”
Added Gomaa: “If Salah is absent for a long period, he will save himself and everyone around him, including the officials, from rumours and speculation.”
Salah will indeed be out for a long spell but that has not quelled the rumours and hearsay. Social media platforms in Egypt have been stuffed with claims that even if Salah is fit to play, Liverpool will say he isn’t, and will prevent him from continuing in the AFCON. Liverpool are in first place and in a titanic five-team battle for the Premier League title and cannot afford to lose Salah, their top scorer, for an extended time.
There was also the question of why Salah is being treated in England. Liverpool said an agreement had been reached with the Egyptian FA for Salah to undergo treatment in Liverpool. But the doubters believe Liverpool had the final say – and maybe the only say – in the matter, again to keep Egypt out of the decision-making process.
And does Liverpool not trust Egyptian doctors and other health care providers?
The general consensus is that no matter how far Egypt go in the AFCON, Salah will not be returning to the tournament.
The club has beaten the country.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 25 January, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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