Egypt showcases ambition, heritage at National Day Celebration in Expo Osaka    EGP inches lower against USD at Wednesday's close    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Mido gets away with it
Published in Daily News Egypt on 25 - 03 - 2006

A recent issue of the sports section of The Sunday Times devoted an entire page to Ahmed "Mido Hossam, Egypt's most famous football export. As you can guess from the headline, "Jewel of the Nile, sports critic Joe Lovejoy does not dwell too long on Mido's famous touchline bust-up with Egypt's coach Hassan Shehata in the semi-final of last month's African Cup of Nations. Lovejoy rather covered the odyssey of Mido, a nomadic young striker who has played in six top-flight European clubs in almost as many years.
However, it would be very odd to write a 1,500-word piece on Mido and not talk much about his moment of madness. With the score level at 1-1 against Senegal with 10 minutes left in the game, Shehata decided it was time Mido, who had been fairly useless up until then, was substituted. Mido ranted and raved, came nose-to-nose with Shehata and it looked like something worse was about to happen before the two were separated.
Shehata came out the eventual winner, his decision vindicated after the player who took Mido's place scored the winning goal against Senegal with his first touch of the ball, a goal which took Egypt to the final. A few days later and Egypt had won the whole show, sans Mido who, for his petulance, was banned from playing the final against Cote d'Ivoire. He was also barred from wearing the Egyptian colors for five months.
What bothers some people and not enough people it seems: Shehata was not the only winner. Mido, too, emerged from that errant night none the worse for wear. His apology was duly accepted by Shehata and the Egyptian public who gave him one of the biggest roars of the night in Cairo Stadium when he hoisted the African trophy. He was allowed to take part in the celebrations. Virtually unscathed, Mido is now back in Tottenham, playing as if nothing ever happened.
Instead of being lambasted, Mido was provided with explanations, or rather excuses, for his personality failings. "Far from being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Mido left home at 16 to make his way in European football, writes Lovejoy. "Fending for himself from a young age, in a succession of countries, forged the independent spirit and outspoken nature that has often brought him into conflict with authority. He has learnt the hard way to stand up for himself and tolerate no slight, real or perceived.
And from Spurs boss Martin Jol: "I know he's an emotional guy. A lot of the top players are. There is a lot of tension with them, because they want to perform.
So what are we to make of this? That the folly of youth, the travails of living abroad all alone and the determination to be the best make Mido who he is? This argument sounds frighteningly like Mido can't do anything about who he is and has no control over himself, nor responsible for his actions.
But Mido is most certainly not innocent. His was one of the worst incidents of dissent ever seen in football, launched in front of a worldwide TV audience in the penultimate match of one of the world's biggest football championships.
After the feud with Shehata, Mido went further, brandishing Shehata, the team and the entire Egyptian football federation amateurs. "In Egypt they are amateurs, Mido told the Daily Express. "The manager is an amateur, the team is amateur, and the association is amateur. They think they know everything. People can call me an arrogant Premiership player. The fact is that I am a Premiership player and they are amateurs.
For Mido's behavior and language punishment was meted out, but it simply does not do justice to the crime. Egypt is not slated to play anything more serious than a few friendly games during Mido's five-month ban. While few will ever forget the extraordinary Mido-Shehata showdown, many are willing to let bygones be bygones.
In truth, many of these good-hearted folks were the chic crowd of Cairo, not particularly soccer savvy who in many cases never saw a match in their life and who came less to see a match than to be seen. Their willingness to forgive and forget stems from their meager sports background. Novice football watchers believe what they witnessed was an everyday occurrence. In fact it was an aberration, a coach substitutes, a player obeys: Full stop.
Reaction to the incident also shows a noticeable malaise in Egyptian society. We no longer know the difference between right and wrong. The dividing line has not only been blurred; it has in many instances, been eradicated.
As for being young, there are hundreds of athletes of Mido's age and younger who are more famous and earn more millions but who possess the four M's: Much More Mature than Mido.
Mido and so many other athletes are role models. Kids look up to them; they want to be like them. When a 12-year-old sports child sees Mido shouting right in his coaches' face, he'll probably think of doing the same to his coach. And he might also try it out on his teachers. Then perhaps one day will come the turn of his mother and father.
Mido disagrees. "What happened was exaggerated by the media, he insists. "The thing got bigger and bigger with every story that appeared. Everything is fine now.
This is exactly the problem.


Clic here to read the story from its source.