“Disgusting sarcasm”… an urgent protest from Al-Ahli against insulting the star of the Pharaohs.

The director of the media department of the Egyptian club “Al-Ahly”, Gamal Gabr, strongly criticized the behavior of an Egyptian journalist who mocked international player Mohamed Hani after scoring a goal against the Egyptian national team in the 2026 World Cup 2026 round of 32 against Australia, saying that this mockery was “an unacceptable violation of the Egyptian media”.

Egypt edged past Australia with a goal from Imam Ashour, before Australia equalized through a Mohamed Hani own goal, and the Pharaohs won 4-2 on penalties to make history by advancing to the round of 16 for the first time.

Egyptian journalist Ahmed Owais asked defender Rami Rabia in the mixed zone after the game, saying: What Gabr described as a “vile mockery” rejected by Egyptian society and which undermines the value of the team as a whole, not just Mohamed Hani, as he says.

Gabr asked. “Where are Captain Hossam Hassan and Captain Ibrahim Hassan? And where is Mohamed Salah, the captain of the national team? Who wants to consider Mohamed Hani as one of the best players in Egypt?

Gabr added that this behavior is “a disgrace to every Egyptian journalist and media outlet”, noting that the national team is achieving an unprecedented historic achievement while His Excellency the President of Egypt watches the matches and supports the champions and congratulates them, while the person “mockers” and mocks as if he is out of control.

Gabr praised Mohamed Hani, saying he was “a person of good and educated morals, one of the most manly, competent and loyal players” and called on every journalist or non-media person of conscience to “do justice to Mohamed Hani and restore his moral standing”.

Gabr demanded that the offender be punished by the Football Association, the Journalists Syndicate, the Sports Critics Association, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and every Egyptian who loves this country, he said.

For his part, Owais apologized to Mohamed Hani, saying that what he said was just a joke and that he did not intend to offend the player whom he considers one of the most important players in Egypt. He added on his Facebook page. “All my apologies to star Mohamed Hani. If I said a joke (joke), I got it wrong… I apologize for the bad timing and inappropriate words, noting that Muhammad Hani is his friend and younger brother.

The Egyptian national team is going to meet the current champion Argentina in the 1/8 final next Tuesday evening.

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