The Egyptian Football Association has vehemently denied “baseless” rumours that Mohamed Salah’s participation at the World Cup was in doubt for failing to undergo a doping test ahead of a friendly game against Portugal last month.
Local reports said earlier on Tuesday that Salah might be suspended ahead of the World Cup for not showing up for a routine doping test during Egypt’s training camp in Switzerland, where they played two friendly games against Portugal and Greece in March.
“There is no truth whatsoever in the rumours saying FIFA has threatened to suspend Salah,” the EFA’s executive director Tharwat Sweilam said in a radio interview.
“The EFA did not receive any letters from FIFA or any other entity regarding that matter.
“Salah had not yet joined up with the team in Switzerland when the tests took place on the first day of our training camp.”
The in-form Liverpool man was on target against Portugal, giving Egypt the lead before the European champions turned the match on its head with two stoppage-time goals from Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Salah was rested for the second friendly against Greece, who beat a second-string Egypt side 1-0.
Egyptian fans pin their hopes on the 25-year-old to take the Pharaohs beyond the group stage in Russia as they make their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
Salah comes sixth in the all-time top scorers chart with Egypt, having scored 33 goals in 57 appearances.
©ahram
