29 March - 4 April 2001
Issue No.527
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 29 March - 4 April 2001 Issue No.527 |
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A change of heart
A repentant Ibrahim Said, arguably Egypt's best soccer player, returned to Egypt after fleeing to Belgium last month, full of remorse and begging forgiveness.
Said, 22, who had absconded in the search for a more lucrative deal abroad, told a senior Al-Ahram editor a few days before his return that he regretted what he had done and was genuinely sorry. Over the phone, the contrite Ahli defender, whose comments were published in the daily, conveyed his apologies to Egyptian fans, officials and his club. He said he sought forgiveness and hoped that Ahli would increase his fee because that was the main reason he left. He added that he wanted to start afresh with his old club.
While Ahli and the rest of Egypt may forgive, they will not easily forget. Said, selected the 2000 player of the year, quit his club and country before two crucial games. Without his services, Ahli lost to Zamalek and probably the league title. And while Egypt drubbed Algeria 5-2 in a World Cup qualifying campaign, the defence was porous and looked desperately inept without him.
Said and his father, Said senior, also had strong words for Ahli which the club will surely find hard to pardon. The pair first claimed that Said's contract with Ahli was illegal, that he had signed on the dotted line while still a youngster. After FIFA, the world's governing body of the sport, ruled the contract legitimate, father and son then claimed Ibrahim's signature had been forged.
In a live TV show, the father accused officials of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), Ahli and the media, all guests on the programme, of being biased and of wanting to defame his son. The officials said the boy had blundered, should acknowledge his errant ways and should return as he will be left with no other alternative.
FIFA held the same view. It announced last week that Said's contract was not only legal but valid until 2002. It said the wayward player should return to his former club and that any local or foreign squad that wishes to enlist him should negotiate with Ahli and Ahli alone. FIFA also threatened the player with a suspension if he refused to return. Said senior, apparently concerned by the punishment, gave in and persuaded Said to make a hasty return, albeit hardly a triumphant one.
Said fled to Belgium a month ago shortly after he returned from Windhoek, Namibia, after scoring the tying goal in a World Cup qualifier. Belgium side Ghent offered Ahli $300,000 for Said but the club refused, saying he should first return before negotiations could begin. Said refused all of Ahli's approaches, saying he was ready to stay in Belgium until his contract with Ahli expired. He reiterated that his contract with Ahli was illegal. "It's an amateur contract," Said said. "I signed it when I was 17," he said, adding that a couple of Egyptian lawyers could confirm his agreement with Ahli was invalid. He also said he had not received his salary for four months and that Ahli had cut bonuses from his fee worth LE40,000 pounds, "which is unfair."
Ahli has so far refused to comment on the news of Said's arrival, waiting instead to open an investigation, which is certain to be followed by punishment for the now penitent player.
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