The Egyptian ministry of defense denied that striker Emad Meteb was not authorized to fly to Belgium because his military status was unclear. Meteb's agent Nader Shawki told FilGoal.com earlier this week that his client, who penned a deal to join Standard Liege, was prohibited from traveling to Belgium by Cairo airport's security officers. He said that Meteb was told he should turn up for military duty in February next year. "Those reports are totally untrue. The player Emad Meteb was given permission to travel abroad on July 12," the ministry of defense said in a statement on Thursday.
The ministry of defense statement Shawki was not available for comment following the ministry of defense's announcement. Meteb opted to join Standard Liege after his contract expired with Ahli despite the Egyptian champions' relentless efforts to keep hold of him. Reports said he considered backtracking on his agreement with the Belgian outfit to move back to Ahli, who are in dire need of new frontmen. However, Meteb, who will experience European football for the first time in his career after seeing his move to English side Bristol City collapse in 2008, is due to join up with his new team on Friday. The 27-year-old will be the fifth Egyptian to play in the Belgian first division after Ahmed Hassan (Anderlecht), Tarek Al-Saied (Anderlecht), Mido (Gent) and Nader Al-Sayed (Club Brugge).
