Mohamed Salah statement released by Egyptian FA after World Cup qualifier drama

The Egyptian FA has issued a response to rumours suggesting that Liverpool ace Mo Salah refused to be subbed off during his most recent game for the national team.

The 31-year-old forward had a starring role in the latest round of internationals, where Egypt faced Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau, as part of the qualification process for the USA-based 2026 World Cup.

Salah found the back of the net with a spectacular strike in the second match, ending the game in a 1-1 draw. However, controversy followed afterwards.

Mostafa Fathi and Nasser Maher were seen warming up to enter the game just before the final whistle, but only Maher was eventually brought onto the field. Speculations started circulating that Fathi was supposed to replace Mo Salah, who ended up remaining on the pitch.

The Egyptian FA has now released an official statement denying these speculations, stating: "There is absolutely no truth to the rumours that Mohamed Salah refused to leave the pitch. Salah was not going to be substituted off in the first place. Hossam Hassan was content with only bringing on Nasser Maher."

This isn't Salah's first brush with controversy while playing for Egypt. Back in March, he wasn't selected for the team as he was embroiled in a fight against a hamstring injury.

EFA board member Walid El-Attar provided an update on the situation involving Salah's return post injury from a recent Europa League clash against Sparta Prague, which led to his omission from the national team for the international break. He stated: "There was communication between Liverpool, the EFA, and Mohamed Salah. There was also an exchange of official letters in which Salah's full injury condition was explained.

"Official communication is the most important, and this is what happened between Liverpool and the EFA. Personally, I had a phone call with Mohamed Salah."

He further prompted comments and predictions regarding the Euros this summer but returned swiftly back to the matter of Salah, suggesting: "The general idea is that Salah needs to return to the pitch gradually, and this is already happening with Liverpool. He needs continuous monitoring with the medical team.

"Salah will be absent from the upcoming Egyptian national team camp, but he will be present normally during the international break in June, which is the most important, as we will play World Cup qualifiers during that time."

El-Attar concluded with remarks on Salah's commitment, asserting: "Mohamed Salah does not at all object to joining the Egyptian national team at any time. On the contrary, Salah loves to play for Egypt. Everyone in the EFA and the Egyptian national team aims to promote the interest of the national team, as well as Mohamed Salah."

This statement came shortly after Salah left the Egypt team prematurely during the African Cup of Nations due to injury in January.