Mido defiant over touchline row
Egypt striker Mido is unrepentant despite being banned for six months by his own football federation for a touchline row with Pharaohs’ coach Hassan Shehata.
Mido will now miss the African Nations Cup final against Ivory Coast on Friday following the furious exchange with Shehata which marred Egypt’s semi-final victory over Senegal.
The 22-year-old, currently on loan at Tottenham from Roma, was taken off with 11 minutes to go and made his displeasure clear with a verbal tirade against his coach, who responded in kind.
He later apologised to the Egyptian fans, despite them chanting ‘Mido out’ following the altercation, but would not back down in his dispute with Shehata.
He said: “I was angry when Shehata decided to replace me. I was not that bad and if I had stayed on I would have scored a goal.”
As it was, his replacement Amr Zaki netted with his first touch, a powerful header, to give the tournament hosts victory.
“I am sorry for the fans but I am not sorry for Shehata,” Mido added.
Shehata was stunned by Mido’s actions.
“Mido’s reaction was irresponsible and shocking,” said Shehata, although he refused to confirm whether he had played a part in the subsequent punishment of the striker.
He added: “The decision was made by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) board and all parties have to respect it.”
It is not the first time Mido has reacted badly to being substituted.
At Ajax in September 2002, he condemned then Amsterdammers’ coach Ronald Koeman for withdrawing him just 32 minutes into an Eredivisie clash with FC Groningen.
Mido made several public outbursts before apologising after Koeman threatened to kick him out of the club.
Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib has urged the Pharaohs squad to forget the fall-out and concentrate on Friday’s clash with the Elephants.
“The Egypt team does not just mean Mido. Mido is just one player in a squad of 23,” he said.
“Now we have to concentrate on the final and forget our problems. The important thing is what we are going to do in the final.
“The team’s preparations are far more important than any dispute between Shehata and Mido.”
Mido had returned to the Egypt side for the clash with Senegal after missing the quarter-final defeat of Democratic Republic of Congo with a groin injury.
The Mido row was not the only controversy to emanate from the match as Senegal cried foul after the game following what appeared to be a trip by Ibrahim Said on West Brom striker Diomansy Kamara inside the area in injury-time.
Cameroonian referee Divine Evehe appeared to initially point to the spot before changing his mind and awarding a goal-kick.
Kamara said: “Of course, we were robbed. It was a clear penalty, you can look at the pictures. The referee has to whistle for it, the rule is the same for everyone whether it is at home or away.”
Senegal’s Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf added: “African football officials have to take another look at the African game because Europeans are going to laugh at us if the refereeing is like that.”
