Hani Abu Rida, Chairman of the Football Association Board, confirmed that his relationship with Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the national team, has existed for years since he was a player in the national team.
Abu Rida said in statements via Al-Nahar channel: "Hossam Hassan was sad at the beginning because he wanted to be chosen for the national team earlier, but he is a good person, enthusiastic about his work, diligent, works for the benefit of the national team, and always listens to opinions from those around him".
Abu Rida confirmed that he brought out the best version of Hossam Hassan, who deals with matters with great calm, explaining that Hossam has always been in the Football Association's nominations to take the position of national team coach throughout the past years.
He added: "Hossam has wonderful tactical aspects and has advantages and does not rely on enthusiasm only, and Ibrahim Hassan imposes discipline on the camps".
He continued: "If it was only about enthusiasm, I would have sought a singer to ignite the players' enthusiasm and not a coach like Hossam who possesses wonderful technical abilities and important tactical aspects".
Regarding the renewal of Hossam Hassan's contract, he indicated that he made the decision before the match against Argentina in the round of 16, explaining that the committee was formed to dot the i's and cross the t's regarding the contractual terms, which are confidential and not up for discussion in the media.
Regarding Hossam Hassan raising the Palestinian flag at the World Cup, he said: "It was an automatic act by the coach; unfortunately, FIFA issues some penalties according to the regulations, and we are concerned about any penalty being directed at us, but I hope there will be no penalty against us".
He concluded his statements by talking about Mahmoud El-Khatib, saying: "El-Khatib is a lifelong friend, and when we disagree on anything, he reminds me of the friendship between us; I have never been upset with El-Khatib, and the crisis of the Wydad match did not affect us; football is one thing and personal relationships are another".
