Date published: Saturday 3rd July 2021 7:14 - Matthew Briggs
Mohamed Salah will not be going to the Olympics after Liverpool prevented him from being selected in Egypt’s squad for Tokyo.
National team boss Hossam El Badry had wanted the 29-year-old as one of his overage players, but the Reds put a block on Salah’s hopes.
The Olympics run from July 22 until August 7, a week before the start of the Premier League campaign, and with Salah set to miss matches in January because of the African Nations Cup Liverpool did not view it as being in their best interests to allow Salah to attend.
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Liverpool do not expect any of their players, including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, to play in the Tokyo Olympics.
They have told the relevant federations they do not want their players to take part in the competition, which runs from 22 July to 7 August.
That means Salah, 29, looks set to miss the Games – but Egyptian FA President Ahmed Megahed still hopes he will play.
“I don’t want to say it’s impossible for Salah to participate, but it is difficult,” admitted Megahed.
The Olympic football tournament is for under-23 teams – but three over-age players are allowed.
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