Egypt U-23 head coach Shawky Gharib has updated that Premier League giants Liverpool have yet to send the Egyptian Football Association a response regarding the stance of Egypt star Mohamed Salah from his availability to participate in Olympics 2020.
Egypt had qualified for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo last year after their U-23 AFCON triumph in 2019; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the games were pushed to 2021.
Shawky Gharib’s men were handed a tough draw. The Pharaohs were put in Group C alongside Spain, Argentina, and Australia.
The tournament is set to start on July 21, but Egypt will open their campaign by facing Spain on July 22 and Gharib explained how they will prepare for the competition.
Gharib along with the EFA have worked hard throughout the year to gain the approval from Liverpool regarding the participation of Salah in the competition but a response hasn’t arrived yet.
“We haven’t received a definitive response from Liverpool regarding Salah’s participation in the Olympics. The EFA have not informed us that our request was rejected either,” Gharib told El Mehwar TV.
“When a new developments take place we will be officially informed directly.”
The Egypt U-23 manager also announced the shortlist from within he will pick his three overage players and they are: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Abougabal, Ayman Ashraf, Mahmoud El-Wensh, Ahmed Hegazi, Tarek Hamed, Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Elneny.
