Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan denied that Mido was angry to start the team's 1-1 draw against Zambia on the bench. Rumors indicated that Wigan Athletic striker Mido protested against coach Hassan Shehata's decision not to include him in the starting line-up for Sunday's World Cup qualifier. The towering frontman, who came on as a second-half substitute, insisted there was no truth whatsoever in such claims and underlined his respect for Shehata. He also accused Wigan teammate Amr Zaki of spreading 'false rumors' that could have damaged his reputation. Hassan, who is nursing an ankle injury sustained against Zambia, stood by Mido. "Mido was my room mate during our training camp. He did not make a single problem," the Ahli midfielder told Egyptian TV. "He accepted Shehata's decision to leave him on the bench and supported his teammates who started the match." Hassan also had words of advice for Zaki. "Zaki's friends are responsible for the problems that happen to him because they always make careless comments," he said. "I hope he drives them away from media to avoid any problems." Zaki's personal adviser Mohamed Saied is rumored to have made the comments that incurred the wrath of Mido.
