Emad Meteb has been the talk of the town in Brussels after he turned from the signing of the season into a 'thief' for Belgian side Standard Liege. The beleaguered Egypt striker has finally broken his silence to explain his failure to report back to Belgium after signing with Standard. While refusing to speak with the Egyptian media, Meteb revealed his excuses in an interview with Brussels-based La Derniere Heure. Why??? Did Standard disappoint you? False. Standard is great and I knew the level of the club before signing. If I was hesitant I wouldn't have signed. I still think I can score 15-20 goals in the Belgian league. You were homesick? No. I didn't have time to think about my country because I worked twice a day with Standard. I even liked Belgium and the players at Standard were nice. Fishing was missing?! (He shows a photo on his mobile phone of a giant fish he caught). "I love fishing in the Red Sea. But that's a hobby. Football is my livelihood. " There was a difference between gross and net salary? I knew the difference before I signed, so it is also false. I am not a profiteer. During my time in Saudi Arabia (with Ittihad Jeddah last year), I financed myself well. Did your former club Ahli create a problem for you?
I played for Ahli for 14 years and I was out of contract, but my former club would never put me sticks in the wheels. The reason finally… Why were you gone? I have not left Standard. I love the club, I respect my contract and I was wonderfully welcomed, but at some point, family comes first. My 23-year-old brother was very ill, so I asked to go home for just two days. When I tried to come back, the army denied me. They say I have to do military service. First, is your brother better? Not really. He was in hospital because he has a stomach problem. Standard already know about it. I had to negotiate my contract with them in London because my brother was there for treatment. Regarding military service, how did you manage to leave your country in July? I left because I was still enrolled in university. Then I recovered my documents to transfer them from Cairo University to Liege. Suddenly I was no longer registered and they would not let me leave. I did everything to find a solution, because my career is suffering. Without playing matches at Standard I cannot earn money and I will lose my place in the national team. You think it amuses me? " Someone influential like the Minister of Sport could have helped you? I keep contacting people but the Minister of Sport can say nothing about it. The law is the law. Mohamed Zidan (Egypt and Dortmund striker) had the same problem. In your country, they say you damage the reputation of Egyptian football. Because no one knows the truth. I was invited by many Egyptian TV channels and all newspapers wanted to talk to me, but I only chose to explain the situation to you. The media in Egypt say it the way they want. Have you heard from Standard? No. We only communicate by fax. I know I risk suspension and fine if Standard raised the case to FIFA, but I am ready to accept it even though I am innocent.
