Move to Keep Mohamed Salah Out of Olympics Done With Player’s Backing
According to reports, the decision to block Salah’s involvement in the Paris Summer Olympics was done with the player’s support.
News this week that Liverpool wouldn’t be losing superstar winger Mohamed Salah or defensive midfielder Wataru Endo to summer Olympic duty despite speculation that Egypt and Japan had been strongly considering calling on them gave the Reds a boost.
That the tournament isn’t on FIFA’s calendar gives clubs power in resisting call-ups. Unlike at the Euros, Africa Cup of Nations, World Cup, and other FIFA tournaments the teams aren’t obligated to release players—but it can still be a difficult needle to thread depending on what a player wants.
At least in the case of Salah, though, sources with ties to the club are today saying that keeping the player out of the Paris Olympics was done with his support, support that was key in convincing Egypt not to even try to push for his inclusion.
For Salah and Liverpool, there has been a history of tension with the national team with the player’s standing elevating him beyond simple football player and at times edging into the realm of politics. Salah was injured at this winter’s AFCoN, missing a significant stretch for club and country as a result.
With the arrival of new manager Arne Slot at Liverpool and the player’s heavy workload in recent seasons potentially a contributor to his earlier injury, giving Salah a full summer off and then a full pre-season was key for the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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