Emam Ashour apologized to Al Ahly’s management and fans for what transpired in the past few hours, confirming his acceptance of the substantial penalty imposed on him.
Ashour failed to travel to Tanzania to participate in the CAF Champions League match against Young Africans without a valid excuse. As a result, the club imposed a hefty fine of 1.5 million Egyptian pounds and banned him from participating in group training for two weeks.
Rumors circulated that the player deliberately missed the trip to Tanzania to pressure Mahmoud El Khatib’s administration regarding renewing his contract or allowing him to move to the American league.
Ashour posted a message on his Instagram account to defuse the situation, beginning by announcing his acceptance of any decision the Al Ahly management makes regarding his case.
Regarding the reasons for his absence from the Tanzania trip, he stated, “I am suffering from a cold, a high fever, and unusual stomach upset. I am taking antibiotics, and my family is experiencing the same symptoms.”
He added, “I informed Ahmed Gaballah, the team doctor, of my health condition and my inability to travel. This is insufficient in such matters, but I made a mistake in good faith. I should have contacted Walid Salah El-Din, the team’s director of football, so he could inform the head coach and they could take the necessary medical measures for being unable to travel.”
He concluded, “I ask everyone to close this matter. To those who say that Imam is trying to pressure the club, I say, ‘God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.’ No one can pressure Al-Ahly, and I would never think that way.”
