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Mohamed Salah retirement statement issued as mystery surrounds Egypt star at World Cup
MOHAMED SALAH’s future in international football in shrouded in mystery amid claims he’s set to retire.
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There has been suggestions that the 26-year-old is set to quit the Egyptian national team after their disappointing World Cup came to an end against Saudia Arabia on Monday.
That speculation has been fuelled by a series of cryptic tweets from the Liverpool forward's agent.
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Salah's relationship with the EFA was strained leading up to the tournament with a sponsorship row taking focus away from preparations while he is said to be disappointed at how he has been used for political gain by administrators.
Recent criticism received after he was pictured with controversial Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, accused of numerous human rights violations, has apparently only contributed to the player's unhappiness.
However, the EFA says retirement is not an issue which has been raised.
"We were always informed by Salah when he takes any decisions," it said in a statement.
"We spend the whole day together and he has never discussed this issue with any of the delegation's members."
On the criticism Salah has received after he was given honorary Chechen citizenship by Kadyrov at a farewell to the squad - which has been based in Grozny in the region - the statement added: "We are here in a sports event and we are following FIFA procedures, we don't discuss politics, and if there is any political discussion, it should be directed to FIFA."
Salah's agent Ramy Abbas has been outspoken about the treatment of his client by the EFA in the past and he first took to Twitter on Friday to post some thoughts, starting with "Let these next few days just pass... and then we'll see..."
Many took that to be a hint about Salah's international future and a day later Abbas followed it up with "Fuming" and “#RespectForAll".
His last message, on Saturday was: "When it was once said that a picture speaks a thousand words, apparently not. So here are the words: Regardless of background, ethnicity, orientation, preferences, everyone deserves respect, and equal rights. #RespectForAll".
Salah's last Tweet, posted last Wednesday, said: "Everyone in Egypt is together and there is absolutely no disagreement between us.. We respect each other and the relationship is best."
Egypt team news
Essam El Hadary will make World Cup history by starting for Egypt at the age of 45.
El Hadary, who has won 156 caps, will take to the field to face Saudi Arabia aged 45 and 161 days old in his first World Cup.
He will beat the record of Colombian keeper Faryd Mondragon, who was 43 years and three days in his final appearance at the World Cup four years ago.
The decision to start El Hadary comes after details emerged of a fallout in the Egypt camp.
There have been claims El Hadary, normally their captain, had fallen out with the rest of the team.
When quizzed on the matter, boss Hector Cuper said: “There might be small disagreements but I would like to hear evidence or proof of this.
"If you don't have evidence or proof, I won't answer that question."