The Al-Ahly Sporting Club, headed by Mahmoud Al-Khatib, apologized for not participating in the Egypt Cup Championship, in response to the desire of the Swiss manager Marcel Koller, the technical director of the football team, due to the recent overlap of competitions.
Khatib held a long meeting on Friday afternoon with Koller, during which they discussed matters regarding the team in order to achieve full support and backing for the team and its technical staff for the new season.
The meeting reached several decisions, which include not completing the Egypt Cup Championship, after Khatib listened to Koller’s point of view on all technical matters.
It concluded with a comprehensive vision which seeks to maintain the team’s interest and its successful path locally and abroad.
The following was decided:
- Granting the technical staff a vacation starting from Friday due to the state of extreme fatigue and the pressure of consecutive matches throughout the past period.
- Assigning general coach Sami Qamssan to lead the team in the remaining three matches of the league championship.
- Granting the players who played a large number of matches throughout the season a rest starting from Friday and using a number of juniors in the upcoming matches.
- Apologizing for not completing the Egypt Cup Championship after listening to Koller’s vision, and then presenting it to the Board of Directors who unanimously approved.
- Players selected to join the national team within the upcoming international agenda will join the camp on September 1, and Al-Ahly’s technical staff will develop a rehabilitation program to maintain their physical level.
- Start arranging all matters related to preparing the team for the new season in consultation with the technical director.
