CAIRO - Zamalek's star Shikabala decided to retire from international football after being taunted in the Cairo derby, said Zamalek's football director Ibrahim Hassan Friday. Several media reports suggested of late that the Zamalek forward had been considering ending his short international career. He played down the allegation over a month ago but Hassan stressed the 24-year-old ace has already hung up his international boots. "He sent a formal letter to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to inform its officials of his decision," Hassan told Modern TV on Friday. "Actually, he made up his mind a month ago. I tried more than once to talk him out of it, but in vain." Shika got involved in many verbal exchanges with fans from Ahly and Zamalek alike throughout his career. He was spotted with his shoe aloft while teasing the Red Devils' fans after the goalless draw in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday. Now he's widely expected to be sanctioned soon for his inappropriate act. The post-match unpleasant incident was the straw the broke the camel's back, according to Hassan. "Shikabala got fed up with the boos and jeers. The fans of Ahli and Zamalek are the fans of Egypt after all, so he doesn't want to play for his country anymore," Hassan explained. "Neither the media nor EFA supported him over the past few weeks. The officials of the national team ignored him as well. "He has been suffering a lot of pressure. I hope Egypt's technical staff can do something to make him backtrack on his decision. It's such a waste; he's the future of Egyptian football." Egypt coach Hassan Shehata hit out at the former PAOK man on more than one occasion, accusing him of feigning injury and ignoring his international duty. Their relationship first took a turn for the worse when Shikabala took no part in the Pharaohs' game at home to Sierra Leone in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers. Shikabala once again raised doubts over his commitment to the national team after pulling out of the friendly against Australia, apparently due to a back injury. His retirement was unveiled right before the imminent announcement of Egypt's squad for the Nile Basin States tournament, which takes place in Cairo from 5 to 17 January. Although he's deemed the best player in Egypt this year, Shikabala's international appearances are quite rare. He participated in only one game during Egypt's triumphant African Cup of Nations campaign in 2010.
