Liverpool FC told Egypt’s Football Association (FA) that they are not going to release Mohammad Salah for Tokyo Olympics men’s football tournament. As per the chairman of Egypt’s FA, Salah was keen to represent his nation in Tokyo this summer but the club refused his offer. The club is not willing to release players for the men’s football tournament in Tokyo as it is not recognized on FIFA’s (Federation International Football Association) match calendar.
Ahmed Megahed reported BBC Sport Africa, “We started talking with them a long time ago because Salah wanted to play the Olympic Games, but Liverpool denied. I knew in June they would not let him go. Anyway, we respect their decision. I tried many times with Liverpool, as did the Egypt FA to persuade them to let Salah join the Olympic team but they ignored completely.”
Mohammad Salah hasn’t yet commented publicly about the Olympics. Gharib was also unfortunate to select Aston Villa’s Mohamed Trezeguet due to injury. Salah and him were set to be two of Gharib’s permitted overage players in the men’s Olympic football squads. As of now, men’s Olympic football squads are normally restricted to under 23. The Tokyo Olympics is starting from July 23.
