Jordi Nomisido, the media spokesperson for the Spanish club Barcelona, clarified the truth regarding reaching a final agreement with Al Ahly to participate in the friendly Joan Gamper Cup.
The Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" revealed that Al Ahly will be a guest of Barcelona at Camp Nou stadium on August 19 next in the friendly Gamper Cup.
The media spokesperson for Barcelona said to FilGoal.com: "The agreement with Al Ahly on the Joan Gamper Cup match is in its final stages, it has not been completed yet but it is close".
The Spanish report indicated that "Barcelona will face a very strong club that enjoys a prominent presence in Egypt, in a strategic step to open this huge market, knowing that Egypt's population is about 110 million people. In fact, the entire Arab market is of great importance to the Catalan club, as it enjoys wide popularity".
The Spanish newspaper "Marca" had previously revealed that Al Ahly's participation comes as part of the agreement between the two clubs in the deal for Al Ahly player Hamza Abdel Karim's transfer to Barcelona.
Thus, Al Ahly would be the first or an Arab team to participate in the Joan Gamper Cup since the introduction of the tournament system since 1997.
Al Ahly and Barcelona have met twice in friendlies, the first in 2007 which ended with Barcelona winning 4-0 during the celebration of Al Ahly's centenary, while Al Ahly lost 4-1 in another friendly held at Wembley Stadium in 2009.
FilGoal.com had previously revealed that Al Ahly is holding its training camp for the new season in Spain between July 31 and August 12.
Al Ahly announced the appointment of Moroccan Hussein Amouta as technical director of the team starting from next season.
Al Ahly held a press conference to present Wael Gomaa as director of football and Amouta as technical director.
Al Ahly also announced the signing of the duo, Ali Mahmoud and Oktay Abdullah, coming from Enppi.
