Furious Egypt blast media vice claim ‘lies’

EGYPT have blamed their Confederations Cup exit on media “lies” about their players consorting with prostitutes after beating world champions Italy.

Head of mission Mahmoud Taher said the team had been stunned by local newspaper reports.

He said the team, knocked out on Sunday after losing 3-0 to the United States, had in fact been robbed at their hotel.

“The players have been really subjected to terrible damage in Egypt and they are in a very bad mood right now due to the false allegations that were published in the newspapers here,” he said.

“The media have caused all this damage which we were shocked by.

“These lies started here in South Africa then they were quoted back home and this had an affect on our players.

“This was not the only reason for the defeat, we had some injuries, and some players got injuries in the match, but these were some of the reasons for the defeat.”

Local media have alleged the money was not stolen but paid to “ladies of the night”, with about 19,000 rand (€1,600) taken from the players after their shock 1-0 win over Italy in Johannesburg last Thursday.

Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s deputy minister of police responsible for security at the event, told an earlier news briefing that the matter was still under investigation.

He added that the police could not be responsible for people or friends invited into hotel rooms “who may not be security friendly to you.”

Taher, whose delegation was leaving Johannesburg on Monday night, responded: “I am saying that no strangers, no women, no girls, nobody came to the floors or the premises of the Egyptian delegation. We came back to our hotel and the players went to their rooms and discovered they had lost their money and their belongings.

“They complained to the reception at the hotel accompanied by our LOC (organising committee) escort who reported it to his superiors and he reported it to the police,” he said.

“We thought it could be sorted out as a simple incident that can happen at any hotel. What we are answering today is what was published in the newspapers, not about the theft because the police are investigating that problem.

“We are demanding from the media protection to our players’ honour and dignity and the rights due to our culture in Egypt.”

Tonight Spain will attempt to claim another spot in the record books and clinch their place in the final of the Confederations Cup when they take on surprise qualifiers the United States in Bloemfontein (live on RTÉ2).

The European champions have already broken one world record during their stint in South Africa, with Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the host nation not only seeing Spain progress through Group A with a 100% record but also extending their run of successive wins to 15.

That saw them move one clear of Brazil, France and Australia, who all jointly held the former record along with the Spanish.

Saturday’s win also extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 35 matches, drawing them level with Brazil’s world-leading mark that was set between 1993 and 1996, and Vicente del Bosque’s side can take that record for their own tonight as well.

Spain are huge favourites to continue their remarkable form against a USA side that created a big stir in battling back from the brink to qualify from Group B, but midfielder Xabi Alonso is not taking anything for granted.

“If they are here it’s because they have deserved it,” said Alonso. “Their approach will not be much different to that of Iraq or South Africa. We cannot think that it will be easy.’’