Mido is not the most disciplined player in the world and his days as a prolific striker has long gone. However, he has every right to be frustrated at the way Hassan Shehata disdainfully treated him. It's no secret that, on a personal level, Egypt coach Shehata doesn't like the towering marksman. Frankly speaking, their outrageous row in the 2006 African Cup of Nations is far from forgotten. Four years ago, Mido picked a fierce quarrel that could have developed into a fist fight with the decorated manager, when the latter decided to replace him with Amr Zaki. No one would have blamed Shehata had he promptly announced the omission of the 27-year-old for good. Mido's misconduct was deemed intolerable by many pundits, and indeed it was. But a reconciliation was supposedly brought about between the short-tempered player and his boss. It was doubtful though whether Shehata had turned a new page.
Mido is renowned for his sensational and controversial media statements, and yet; his annoyance is justifiable this time around. Mido barely featured for Egypt over the past few years. He was often plagued with recurrent injuries, so it wasn't quite obvious what his lack of participation is really down to. Now it's crystal clear that Shehata has never granted the former Ajax ace a reprieve and still holds a grudge against him. Mido was called up to the Pharaohs' provisional list for the 2010 Nations Cup only to see himself excluded from the final squad due to 'technical reasons'. The charismatic hitman initially commented that he was extremely upset by Shehata's 'disrespectful' decision. He described his relationship with the highly-rated coach more bluntly when he was later quoted by Daily Mail as saying: "the guy just doesn't like me." Mido is renowned for his sensational and controversial media statements, and yet; his annoyance is justifiable this time around.
Shehata is definitely entitled to pick his own squad and sanction troublemakers straightforwardly, but under no circumstances should use his authority to settle a score his own way. Shehata omitted Mido in a condescending manner that suggested he hadn't actually had the intention to bring him back in Egypt's fold, but only aimed to punish him. Much to his disappointment, Mido knew that he missed out on a place in the final squad from the local media. No technical staff member bothered to tell him in person. When asked why he didn't pick the troubled footballer, Shehata replied that he would rather choose versatile strikers who can take up more than one role on the pitch. I wonder why he called up Mido in the first place since he doesn't possess that attribute from his perspective. I also can't help but ask if the wasteful and off-form Emad Meteb does! Shehata is definitely entitled to name his squad and sanction troublemakers straightforwardly, but under no circumstances should use his authority to settle a score his own way. Mido insinuated during his interview with the English tabloid that the high-profile tactician didn't have the 'guts' to tell him why he's been shunning him. As offensive and rude as that may sound, it remains true.
