Queiroz Says Sorry After CAF’s Hefty Fine On EFA

Pharaohs coach Carlos Queiroz has on behalf of the Egyptian Football Association – apologized for not meeting up with the pre-match — press conference ritual, against Morocco.

The latter included the topic at the semi finals press conference, but insisted that the act wasn’t scripted, and all just didn’t fit the puzzle on that day.

For starters, Egypt’s press conference ahead of their African Cup quarter-final against Morocco was canceled due to excessive delay.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football decided to impose a fine of 100,000 US dollars on the Egyptian Football Association, during the participation of the Egyptian national team in the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and the money is expected within 60 days, from the day the decision was taken.

Towards the end of his presser, the former Real Madrid coach said;

‘On behalf of the Egypt National team, I want to make a final statement to the press. It is regarding the news that Egypt was fined having missed one press conference.

‘It was not our fault. It wasn’t the fault of CAF or the media or the police. We were ready for the press conference and they drove the coach and captain to another place that wasn’t the venue of the press conference. We apologise. But it was not the fault of the coach, staff, or captain of the team.’

Queiroz equally replied to reports of the EFA not wanting Gassama to referee their semi finals clash against Cameroon.

Egypt filed a complaint to the African football Confederation against the appointment of a Gambian referee Gassama – for the Pharaohs’ game against Cameroon.

The coach appeared not to know much about it!

‘I didn’t know that,’ Queiroz on the appeal. ‘If that is correct, the team and myself only focus on the game because we know we will play against a great team, great players, good coach – it is the home country and the people will be supporting Cameroon for 90 minutes. That is however our source of inspiration.

‘I can never make a judgement of the referee before he does his work. Referees are part of the teams, and we hope tomorrow that we have 3 great teams on the pitch,’ Queiroz echoed.

The experienced manager equally cleared the air on the back and forth petit spats that occured, since Eto’o said Cameroon’s next tie in the competition; Egypt was going to be war.

‘Samuel is not a national, but an international hero.’

The gaffer then recounted: ‘I did everything possible to try to bring him back to Real Madrid when I was still coach there.

‘My comments were misjudged. My comments were only aimed at pointing out that people can win or learn, as I don’t have the word ‘lose’ in my dictionary. It is just a game of football,’ the 68-year-old Portuguese ended.

Queiroz will hope to get Egypt a step closer to their 8th AFCON triumph when they log horns with hosts Cameroon on Thursday.