Egypt's Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy and dozens of local footballing icons took part in the funeral of football commentator Abdel-Reheem Mohamed on Tuesday, following his dramatic death from a heart attack after watching the national team lose to Saudi Arabia in the World Cup a day earlier. The well-known pundit had been due to comment on the the team's disappointing 2-1 defeat in their final World Cup match, but collapsed in the studio before going on air. "Right after the match, Abdel-Reheem said that there were multiple mistakes that needed to be discussed on air," Ahmed Fawzy, a commentator who was partnering with Mohamed to commentate on the match, told DMC TV channel. The former Zamalek FC coach and player fell on his way to the bathroom and was taken to the emergency room, where an attempt to resuscitate him failed and he was pronounced dead, Fawzy said. Egyptians' high expectations for their first World Cup appearance in 28 years were dashed by three successive defeats in the group stage, losing to Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia successively. The Egyptian government and parliament have called for investigation into the loss. Parliament's sports committee described the Pharaohs' showing as “a disgraceful representation” and the loss to Saudi Arabia as “humiliating,” accusing the Egyptian Football Association of committing “serious violations,” in an emotional statement released on Monday . Mohamed became popular while playing for Zamalek and then the national team in the 1970s and 80s. He went on to be part of the club's management team, including under Henri Michel and Ahmed "Mido" Hossam. "My coach, mentor and a genuine Zamalek lover, Captain Abdel-Reheem Mohamed; we ask you to pray for him," Mido wrote on Twitter on Monday. (For more sports news and updates and a special World Cup 2018 coverage, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
