Mohamed Abou-Treika...a name that has hardly been attached to controversy throughout a glittering career, yet the legendary number 22 has been put under the microscope recently for a highly-debatable decision. Abou-Treika's decision to pull out of Ahli's squad for the Super Cup game sparked a huge debate among many football fans and pundits... should he be lauded for endorsing the ultras' demands or blasted for such an ‘unprofessional' act? It is crystal clear he was suffering from internal struggles before coming up with such an announcement in the wake of the ultras training ground invasion incident and the FA headquarters attack. And there is no doubt that the modest star - a role model for sportsmanship in Egypt - has always shown sympathy and support to the Port-Said victims' families. However, one thing Abou-Treika might have missed is that he should have made it clear from the very beginning that he totally backs the ultras in their demands, which included opposing the resumption of domestic football before the Port-Said disaster perpetrators are justly sanctioned. But instead, a late, surprising and contentious decision saw him refuse to take part in a competitive fixture just two days before, as if he had suddenly remembered the case and the ‘blood of the martyrs'! I'm not against Abou-Treika's act, but I believe the 33-year-old should have been more decisive and clear. In other words, he should have done it in a better way. In my viewpoint, Abou-Treika should have declared he is not going to play any game whether for Ahli or the national team until the culprits of February's calamity are handed the punishment they deserve. He should as well have admitted that his act is totally unprofessional but there are other stronger reasons that prompted him to do so, and that he is ready to incur any sanction by his club even if it would cost him a place in the Reds squad. In the worst-case scenario for him, he could be shown the door, but would never lose his cult status among the fans and will be respected by every man in the country. Egypt's most popular star achieved so many for club and country and is close to hanging up his boots sooner or later. He won't lose much if he managed to put his noble message across at the expense of a contract extension or even a big farewell game. That's only in case he is really concerned about the rights of the victims and not just winning over the fans by snubbing a single domestic match. The ultras did not oppose Ahli's participation in the Champions League only because of the sanctions that would be imposed by CAF if the Reds opted to pull out of the competition, a punishment that may see them banned for a season or more. If it wasn't for that reason, I believe the fanatic fans - who witnessed Egypt's most tragic football incident - would have stood against their side's participation in the continental tournament. But obviously there are some points Abou-Treika and his teammates did miss, that's why they were astonished by their fans' furious demeanor of late.
