Pyramids FC clarified the rumors regarding an altercation between team player Mostafa Fathi and the South African head coach, Rolani Mokwena, at the moment of the player's substitution during their match against Kenyan side Gor Mahia in the CAF Champions League.
Pyramids secured a 2-0 victory over Gor Mahia in the match played today, Sunday, as part of the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
In a statement issued through the club's media center, Pyramids FC confirmed that nothing occurred between Mostafa Fathi and Mokwena when the player left the field.
The club indicated that the incident actually took place between Mostafa Fathi and the fourth official, after the latter urged the player and Abdel Rahman Magdy to hasten their exit from the pitch. The official was counting down to avoid imposing a one-minute delay penalty for the substitution and entry of the replacement player.
Pyramids added that Mostafa Fathi felt angered by the fourth official's reaction, especially since he was already leaving the field quickly, considering the official's response to be exaggerated.
The club emphasized that the video footage clearly shows the conversation was not between Mostafa Fathi and Mokwena, explaining that the head coach intervened to calm the player and congratulate him on his performance during the match.
