The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) is considering suing the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over comments attributed to Egypt coach Bob Bradley in which he cited that public opinion holds the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) responsible for the Port Said Stadium disaster, spokesman Azmi Megahed said on Sunday.
Some local football pundits launched a scathing attack on the American boss, who later said his comments were taken out of context.
In an interview with the BBC, Bradley said: "I hear opinions from people who say the military... is almost trying to say, 'Fine, you want us out? Then this is what it's gonna be like without us".'
Megahed denied that Bradley gave that interview, although it is available on the BBC's website.
"We are considering filing a lawsuit against the BBC, because Bradley insisted he never said those comments, which are aimed at tarnishing his image among Egyptian football fans," Megahed was quoted as saying by Ahram's Arabic sports website.
The 54-year-old has remained largely apolitical since taking charge of the Pharaohs in September last of year.
He was acclaimed by many for donating LE60,000 to the families of Port Said victims, but his latest comments landed him in hot water. Former Egypt coach Mohsen Saleh went so far as to accuse Bradley of being part of a "conspiracy" orchestrated by American NGOs operating in Egypt.
"Bradley refused to sue Saleh, who accused him of being a spy. Bradley said he doesn't have time for that, he is just focusing on his task of qualifying Egypt for the World Cup," Megahed added.
The former United States boss is burdened with the task of ending the national team's lengthy World Cup drought and steering them to the 2014 finals in Brazil.
He is currently preparing the national team for four June matches -- qualifiers for the World Cup and African Nations Cup.
Egypt are holding successive training camps to make up for the lack of domestic football activity following the cancellation of the Premier League after February's sporting disaster.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter:@AO Sports)
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