Mido again

photo: Abdel-Hamid Eid

AJAX Amsterdam coach Ronald Koeman has consigned Egyptian striker Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam to the club's youth team. Disciplinary reasons were cited as the reason for Koeman's decision.

Mido was suspended Friday for an unspecified period of time.

Koeman said the demotion was "a disciplinary punishment. Mido didn't live up to the club's rules." He did not elaborate on what Mido did wrong, and it was unclear whether the player will be available for Ajax's Champion's League match at home against Arsenal on Wednesday.

"If he comports himself well and normally, then there will be a moment when he can return," Koeman said at a press conference. "We as the technical staff can't do anything more about him. He's got to do it himself."

With 18 goals, Mido trails only Zlatan Ibrahimovic and injured Rafael van der Vaart among the team's most productive attackers. He did not play in last week's match at Arsenal due to a strained thigh muscle that has since healed.

Mido, regarded by many as Egypt's brightest talent, has scored 10 goals in 23 appearances for his country.

Mido has had several public arguments with the Ajax manager. This is the second time the young Mido -- who turned 20 Sunday -- has been disciplined by Koeman. He was benched for a short period in September, after he complained during an interview about not starting a game against FC Zwolle and said he would likely leave the team. Several days later he apologised, was fined an undisclosed amount, and rejoined the team.