Media personality Ahmed Shoubir revealed the behind-the-scenes details of Al Ahly's management handling of the contract renewal file for the first-team football players, topped by Imam Ashour, Yasser Ibrahim, and Mohamed Hani. Al Ahly
Shoubir said in statements on his radio program: "Al Ahly is considering three things regarding this file. The first, from my point of view, is renewing the contracts of the team players, and I believe this step has been delayed significantly. I have been talking for a year about renewing Imam Ashour's contract. The player wanted to renew before the World Cup and personally sent messages to the management and technical staff, but the club preferred to wait and postpone the matter until after the World Cup".
He added: "By the way, the player returned to training yesterday, and his condition is very good, and he enjoys the confidence of the team's technical director, Hussein Ammouta. But why is Al Ahly delaying resolving Imam Ashour's contract renewal file even though two years remain on his contract?!"
He stressed: "The players' desire is to renew with Al Ahly, but the disagreement is only over financial matters, because last season the salary cap was very high, which caused confusion within the club. Therefore, Al Ahly is trying to resolve this issue now".
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He continued: "For the thousandth time, I affirm that it is not necessary for the players to receive the same amounts of money, but Al Ahly wants to apply this policy. Some players have agreed, while others say they have passed the age of thirty and these amounts will be the last in their careers".
He pointed out: "The players say that the club is now sitting with them to negotiate renewals and money, but afterward, when we negotiate, the contract will be extended year after year, and they cite examples like Amr El Solia and Hossam Ashour, the former duo of the team. This talk is circulating among the players".
He continued: "Regarding Imam Ashour, much talk has circulated that he has finalized everything with Al Ahly and his contract has been renewed, but this has not happened. It is possible that viewpoints have become closer, but the renewal has not been resolved yet".
He added: "I will give advice to Imam Ashour and speak to him as a father. Your father is your agent, like Zizo's father who stood behind his son since childhood until he became one of the stars of Egyptian football, as well as Neymar's father and also Lionel Messi".
He continued: "It is good to have an agent. Professional players have Egyptian, Arab, and foreign agents, so you must always have an agent. But I am not convinced that your father should be involved in the picture now, because frankly, this is not his job".
He added: "Regarding Yasser Ibrahim, he has received an offer from Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia, and the same applies—the player says he has passed the age of thirty, and the offered amount could be the largest sum presented to him during this period, so perhaps you should let me leave or renew for me".
He concluded: "Regarding Mohamed Hani, he has no objection to renewing, and he sees this moment as the most important for negotiation for him, especially after returning from the World Cup in his best form. The financial matters have not yet been resolved, and I expect them to be settled in the coming period".
