Mohamed Abdelmonem leaves Egypt camp amid reported dispute with coaching staff

Mohamed Abdelmonem has left the Egypt squad by mutual agreement with OGC Nice, days after Mohamed Salah also departed the camp.

The defender will miss Sunday’s friendly against South Africa, following discussions between his French club and Egypt’s coaching staff. OGC Nice announced Abdelmonem’s departure on Thursday, while the Egyptian Football Association had not issued an explanation at the time of publication.

Salah, the Trabzonspor forward, left the squad after Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. He was substituted during the second half of that match.

The Egyptian Football Association said Salah would miss the subsequent qualifier against South Sudan because the game was being played on a tartan surface, on which he was unable to play.

Abdelmonem was included in Egypt’s squad for the current international window but did not feature against Angola. He also did not travel to South Sudan amid concerns about the possible effect of the artificial pitch on his fitness.

In a statement, OGC Nice said: “By mutual agreement with the Egypt national team staff, Mohamed Abdelmonem has left the national team camp in order to preserve his fitness and physical wellbeing.”

The club added: “This decision was taken jointly, given the circumstances in which the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match was to be played, particularly on an artificial surface, and with the shared desire not to risk the player’s health.”

OGC Nice said it was doing everything possible to ensure Abdelmonem, like all of its international players, could represent his country in the best possible conditions.

The statement continued: “Particular attention is paid to their health, recovery and physical safety.”

The club also thanked Egypt’s staff for their understanding and for the work carried out with Abdelmonem during the camp.

“Mohamed will now continue working with OGC Nice to prepare in the best possible conditions for the challenges ahead,” it concluded.

Reported tension with Egypt staff

Broadcaster Ahmed Shobeir said Abdelmonem’s absence from the South Africa match reflected significant tension between the player and Egypt’s coaching and administrative staff.

“Mohamed Abdelmonem will also not be present for the South Africa match on Sunday,” Shobeir said in radio comments. “There is very clearly a major dispute between Mohamed Abdelmonem and the coaching and administrative staff.”

He added: “I hope the issue is resolved quickly between the national team staff and Abdelmonem rather than escalating significantly, because they are angry with him, and they have the right to be.”

“I do not want to wrong any player, but the coaching staff have the right to be angry with Mohamed Abdelmonem,” Shobeir said. “I hope the player takes the initiative to end the disagreement and the anger, because we need him, as we need all the players in the national team.”

The reported anger stems from Abdelmonem’s refusal to play against South Sudan, followed by a letter from OGC Nice requesting that he be left out of the match. He has now left the camp after negotiations between the club and Egypt’s coaching staff.