Albion star called up by Egypt

Adam El-Abd enjoyed an impressive second half of the season Adam El-Abd enjoyed an impressive second half of the season

Adam El-Abd is eyeing the World Cup qualifiers after being handed a first international call-up by Egypt.

The Albion defender was last night named in a 30-man squad by Pharaohs boss Bob Bradkey.

Egypt are building towards a World Cup qualifier against Mozambique on June 1.

El-Abd was born and brought up in Brighton but has an Egyptian father and has been called up after an impressive second half of the season in the Championship.

His form after recovering from a stress fracture to the foot caught the eye of Bradley, the American who has been in charge of the Pharaohs since September.

Bradley recently lost experienced defender Wael Gomaa to injury. Egypt are looking to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990.

El-Abd joins Sunderland midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady as the only English-based players in the party.

Comments(51)

Cabin fever says...
10:06am Wed 16 May 12

Great news for AEA. He certainly was a rock in defence for the majority of the time played - in the centre at least...

Another one who proved the doubters wrong that he could cope with life in the Championship.

Pretty sure he'll play a big part in next season's campaign, too.

AmexicanWave says...
10:26am Wed 16 May 12

Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.

seagulljoe says...
10:47am Wed 16 May 12

AmexicanWave wrote:
Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian!

This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!

pjwilk says...
10:56am Wed 16 May 12

Good season for Adam,i think we are going to to need some more tough fighters for next season.Watched the Huddersfield and MK Dons game,they both have steel and would not be out of place in the Championship.Big strong players are the order of the day,but also with skill.

cvs says...
11:01am Wed 16 May 12

I thought he was doing his Egyptian National Service when I saw the headline

farside says...
11:03am Wed 16 May 12

Immense. Just the thought of an honest no-nonsense pro like elAbd gaining international recognition makes me smile. And don't anyone under-rate Egypt - they are well organised and play some good football. They can surprise some better fancied sides and their fans are even more ferocious than our Adam!

HOVEPARKRESIDENT says...
11:08am Wed 16 May 12

Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad.
Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.

Captain Cook says...
11:13am Wed 16 May 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad.
Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
Take a long walk off a short pier.

seagulljoe says...
11:39am Wed 16 May 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad.
Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I would pay good money to see El-Abd in a ring with your big girl of a player that is Zaha!

Captain Haddock says...
12:04pm Wed 16 May 12

seagulljoe wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote:
Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian!

This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!
Agree with all of that (AmexicanWave, you're being a tad harsh there).

Only thing is it could be a pain in the wotsit with another African Cup of Nations due in Jan (yes it was only this winter we had one but they are aligning themselves to the international calendar or some such adjustment).

Oh well, the price of success eh?

markymark03 says...
12:44pm Wed 16 May 12

I hope England play Egypt soon so AEA can have round two of the wrestling match with Andy Carrol!

brighton1980 says...
12:47pm Wed 16 May 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
And your point is what exactly? Chump.

IKnowNowt says...
12:55pm Wed 16 May 12

Well done Adam recognition at last, keep the sand out of your boots.

But what do I know?

The Phantom says...
1:52pm Wed 16 May 12

Great news for El-Abd and well deserved. Presumably Roy Hodgson had already let him know that he wasn't going to make the England Euro squad......

mark5 says...
2:40pm Wed 16 May 12

Please, please, please, can those that currently do not, realise that the Troll must be ignored........perio
d?! He/She revels in the attention that they get to their inane contributions( I use the word "contributions"in the loosest sense of course!) The more frustrated, angry and agitated some on here become, the better for HPR. It is important to remember, that this is certainly not a BHA fan and unlikely a football fan generally. The comments are all of the same ilk and generalised and picks up on vague issues that have been raised historically,by genuine fans, like the state of the pies! HPR is just some individual sitting at a key board, rattling off a confrontational email on every article. Responding is totally pointless if you want the problem to go away. The postings are not even amusing for God sakes. I used to look forward to Mr Carrots contributions as they were funny and some of his adjectives to describe Gus were the product of a bright mind. However, HPR is boring, repetitive and pointless. Ignore it 100 per cent, or else we will be enduring this drivel all next season too!

Beethoven says...
2:43pm Wed 16 May 12

I wonder if he can speak Arabic?
Still, the manager is American so he should be O K .
Well done Adam....It would be great to see you in an England v Egypt match.

BHAFCSeagull says...
3:12pm Wed 16 May 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad.
Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour.
mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.

Cabin fever says...
3:23pm Wed 16 May 12

HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote:
Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad.
Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
*30-man*

Come on HPR, standards are slipping. A bit like the quality of your comments...

kumquat says...
3:24pm Wed 16 May 12

BHAFCSeagull wrote:
HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote: Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour. mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.
Me too - although I agree Mr Carrot and Manag were funnier. This guy really knows how to hit the mark though!

Captain Haddock says...
3:29pm Wed 16 May 12

BHAFCSeagull wrote:
HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote: Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour. mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.
Really? REALLY? What's funny about them? Before I started ignoring them and scrolling straight through I found them tedious, repetitive, generalised in their attempts to irritate with no coherent point.

If you find them funny them either that loser has vastly improved (doubt it) or you have a riot abysmal sense of humour (no offence!).

Mark5 has it right IMO.

Either way, can we stop quoting him every time - I would have done so here if I could have edited the quoted text to just your reply.

gordongull says...
3:30pm Wed 16 May 12

Beethoven wrote:
I wonder if he can speak Arabic?
Still, the manager is American so he should be O K .
Well done Adam....It would be great to see you in an England v Egypt match.
They will pass notes around containing hieroglyphics.

Captain Haddock says...
3:31pm Wed 16 May 12

*Apologies for typos but you get the point*

Cabin fever says...
3:42pm Wed 16 May 12

Captain Haddock wrote:
BHAFCSeagull wrote:
HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote: Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour. mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.
Really? REALLY? What's funny about them? Before I started ignoring them and scrolling straight through I found them tedious, repetitive, generalised in their attempts to irritate with no coherent point.

If you find them funny them either that loser has vastly improved (doubt it) or you have a riot abysmal sense of humour (no offence!).

Mark5 has it right IMO.

Either way, can we stop quoting him every time - I would have done so here if I could have edited the quoted text to just your reply.
What I find quite amusing is the fact that he clearly comments on things that he doesn't know much about (in this case, the quality of the Egypt squad).

Yes he is a troll, but he is harmless enough. His inane belief that EVERYTHING about the Albion is sub-standard, at best (pies, players, managers, facilities, etc, etc), is amusing, as is the fact that he goes to that much effort to post negative comments about a team that he doesn't support.

In terms of repetitiveness, that goes for everyone banging on about ignoring him all the time.

I would suggest that people that really get offended/annoyed/irk
ed by him are the ones that need to take a step back and realise that THIS IS THE INTERNET AND NOT REAL LIFE!!!

Troll Busters says...
3:47pm Wed 16 May 12

BHAFCSeagull wrote:
HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote: Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour. mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.
BHAFCSeagull, so far to date you have contributed zero opinion or valid point on this comment board and certainly nothing Albion related.

Funny that your only posts are specifically geared in support of your mate.

Despite your chosen user name and masquerading as a Brighton supporter and I have heard nothing from you of any worth.

Come on then, give us something interesting, or have you got limited brain capacity like your buddy?

mark5 says...
3:47pm Wed 16 May 12

It really is not about me "lightening up."I am as happy as they come! However, some on here are understandably aggravated and agitated. I am merely suggesting that ignoring HPR totally will remedy the problem. If you find his contribution "amusing" then all cool with me, but clearly the majority do not share that view at all! But............here we are debating this nonsense which is all "grist for his mill" which my grandmother used to say! Happy Days.........UTA

Troll Busters says...
4:05pm Wed 16 May 12

And you’re an idiot as well kumquat!

dave from bexill says...
4:15pm Wed 16 May 12

Hi Hove Park Resident. Just by way of a change of subject, I and I'm sure many others would, at this time, be very interested to know your view in respect of the Greek and Eurozone crisis. Thanks in anticipation of your early response.

tandseagalsamantha says...
4:16pm Wed 16 May 12

The Phantom wrote:
Great news for El-Abd and well deserved. Presumably Roy Hodgson had already let him know that he wasn't going to make the England Euro squad......
if you look at the England squad announced today, i think Adam would have turned the call up down and stuck with Egypt! Hoping to hear some transfer news soon (coming in) hate it when its all last minute, perhaps vicente has a few mates from Spain connections that fancy an English winter!

dave from bexill says...
4:24pm Wed 16 May 12

NEWS UPDATE

Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.

gordongull says...
4:39pm Wed 16 May 12

dave from bexill wrote:
NEWS UPDATE

Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?

ballantrrae says...
4:47pm Wed 16 May 12

Excellent news for Adam, its good to see a hard working committed pro getting recognition.
Regarding HPR's comment about Poyet managing Samoa I assume he was referring to the Samoan rugby team who are pretty useful especially at '7s' - last year they won the World 7s circuit (Normally NZ are champions). For the record Uruguay play rugby and have played in the Rugby World cup finals.
Changing the subject I see that Joe Mattock has been released by WBA (WBA club website). I hope we move quickly to secure his services. At 21 he is an excellent young prospect and I thought the best of the loanees we had this season.

mark5 says...
4:50pm Wed 16 May 12

gordongull wrote:
dave from bexill wrote:
NEWS UPDATE

Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?
Perhaps, but is a "discusion" the same as a "discussion"?!!!

mikeygit says...
4:55pm Wed 16 May 12

Gordongull---would like to be a fly on the wall at the 'Liverpool' discuusions' yes they will/would be long--Gus with strong accent from Uraguay and Liverpool accent?? need I say more?

Captain Haddock says...
5:16pm Wed 16 May 12

Cabin fever wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
BHAFCSeagull wrote:
HOVEPARKRESIDENT wrote: Oh come on please! CMS holds onto his place in a dismal Scotland squad and El-Abd creeps into an equally awful 30 man Egyptian squad. Hopefully Poyet will soon be named as the new manager of Samoa.
I happen to enjoy your posts. Anybody that doesn't has no sense of humour. mark5 lighten up and let us make up our own minds.
Really? REALLY? What's funny about them? Before I started ignoring them and scrolling straight through I found them tedious, repetitive, generalised in their attempts to irritate with no coherent point. If you find them funny them either that loser has vastly improved (doubt it) or you have a riot abysmal sense of humour (no offence!). Mark5 has it right IMO. Either way, can we stop quoting him every time - I would have done so here if I could have edited the quoted text to just your reply.
What I find quite amusing is the fact that he clearly comments on things that he doesn't know much about (in this case, the quality of the Egypt squad). Yes he is a troll, but he is harmless enough. His inane belief that EVERYTHING about the Albion is sub-standard, at best (pies, players, managers, facilities, etc, etc), is amusing, as is the fact that he goes to that much effort to post negative comments about a team that he doesn't support. In terms of repetitiveness, that goes for everyone banging on about ignoring him all the time. I would suggest that people that really get offended/annoyed/irk ed by him are the ones that need to take a step back and realise that THIS IS THE INTERNET AND NOT REAL LIFE!!!
Amusing for five minutes at best. I get bored of one-trick / one-gag acts VERY quickly.

I don't get irritated by trolls per se, as I recognise them quickly and scroll on ever more thereafter, but I want to talk Albion with people with good opinions, not read about a nobody and his tired gag.

mark5 says...
5:19pm Wed 16 May 12

ballantrrae wrote:
Excellent news for Adam, its good to see a hard working committed pro getting recognition.
Regarding HPR's comment about Poyet managing Samoa I assume he was referring to the Samoan rugby team who are pretty useful especially at '7s' - last year they won the World 7s circuit (Normally NZ are champions). For the record Uruguay play rugby and have played in the Rugby World cup finals.
Changing the subject I see that Joe Mattock has been released by WBA (WBA club website). I hope we move quickly to secure his services. At 21 he is an excellent young prospect and I thought the best of the loanees we had this season.
Agree about Mattock, very strong, happy to move forward and with skill. Just what we need to compete at this level. Assulin had some skill and trickery about him but I fear that he is too lightweight to make a real impression. Whether we like it or not, the Championship is about big physical players with the skill to play and the resoluteness to grind out a result.

Captain Haddock says...
5:21pm Wed 16 May 12

mark5 wrote:
gordongull wrote:
dave from bexill wrote: NEWS UPDATE Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?
Perhaps, but is a "discusion" the same as a "discussion"?!!!
Hahha! Own goal conceded. Didn't even spot that second one.

dave from bexill says...
5:21pm Wed 16 May 12

My computer's terrible at spelling when it's had a lunch time drink. Apolgies; now just keep dissguscing the topic in question UTA

Captain Haddock says...
5:25pm Wed 16 May 12

mark5 wrote:
ballantrrae wrote: Excellent news for Adam, its good to see a hard working committed pro getting recognition. Regarding HPR's comment about Poyet managing Samoa I assume he was referring to the Samoan rugby team who are pretty useful especially at '7s' - last year they won the World 7s circuit (Normally NZ are champions). For the record Uruguay play rugby and have played in the Rugby World cup finals. Changing the subject I see that Joe Mattock has been released by WBA (WBA club website). I hope we move quickly to secure his services. At 21 he is an excellent young prospect and I thought the best of the loanees we had this season.
Agree about Mattock, very strong, happy to move forward and with skill. Just what we need to compete at this level. Assulin had some skill and trickery about him but I fear that he is too lightweight to make a real impression. Whether we like it or not, the Championship is about big physical players with the skill to play and the resoluteness to grind out a result.
Also agree about Mattock but I have more of a positive hunch about Assulin too....would like to see him on a season-long loan.

As for Joe M....snap him up, he's perfect for us.

Troll Busters says...
5:56pm Wed 16 May 12

Come on BHAFCSeagull, nothing to say then, nothing to say now, nothing to say in the future.

Please try and come up with something intelligent rather than jumping on the troll bandwagon we all want a laugh?

Come on, or has it all gone quiet over there?

gordongull says...
6:16pm Wed 16 May 12

Captain Haddock wrote:
mark5 wrote:
gordongull wrote:
dave from bexill wrote: NEWS UPDATE Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?
Perhaps, but is a "discusion" the same as a "discussion"?!!!
Hahha! Own goal conceded. Didn't even spot that second one.
When he arrives for talks, the Scousers will say, ''allright Gus, sit on dis cusion''.

mark5 says...
6:32pm Wed 16 May 12

gordongull wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
mark5 wrote:
gordongull wrote:
dave from bexill wrote: NEWS UPDATE Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?
Perhaps, but is a "discusion" the same as a "discussion"?!!!
Hahha! Own goal conceded. Didn't even spot that second one.
When he arrives for talks, the Scousers will say, ''allright Gus, sit on dis cusion''.
Ha Ha, very good Gordon. Just shows how poor the footballing news is at the moment, when we are having to make our own fun in it's abscense!!

gordongull says...
6:37pm Wed 16 May 12

mikeygit wrote:
Gordongull---would like to be a fly on the wall at the 'Liverpool' discuusions' yes they will/would be long--Gus with strong accent from Uraguay and Liverpool accent?? need I say more?
Not if they take Nooney as an interpreter.
Nooney can provide clarification on phrases like, ''eet ees compleecated'', while Suarez can elucidate on the likes of, ''dey don't do dat do dey''.

gordongull says...
7:44pm Wed 16 May 12

Don't know why I thought they needed Suarez. Nooney will translate both ways!

SMF20 says...
8:23pm Wed 16 May 12

gordongull wrote:
mikeygit wrote:
Gordongull---would like to be a fly on the wall at the 'Liverpool' discuusions' yes they will/would be long--Gus with strong accent from Uraguay and Liverpool accent?? need I say more?
Not if they take Nooney as an interpreter.
Nooney can provide clarification on phrases like, ''eet ees compleecated'', while Suarez can elucidate on the likes of, ''dey don't do dat do dey''.
dey do do dont dey doh

AmexicanWave says...
8:33pm Wed 16 May 12

Captain Haddock wrote:
seagulljoe wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote:
Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian!

This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!
Agree with all of that (AmexicanWave, you're being a tad harsh there).

Only thing is it could be a pain in the wotsit with another African Cup of Nations due in Jan (yes it was only this winter we had one but they are aligning themselves to the international calendar or some such adjustment).

Oh well, the price of success eh?
It matters not that Adam is 'half' Egyptian. My point is that I am against anyone representing a country that they were not actually born in. That is my opinion, and I know that many others feel the same way.
The whole process of country representation is crazy in many sports, not just football. Let's not forget that the England cricket team should really be called England and South Africa.
As for being a tad harsh Captain Haddock. I think it's more than a tad harsh when someone born in any country is unable to represent their national side, because someone born in another country is filling their position.

Hovite says...
9:02pm Wed 16 May 12

Maybe every English league team should only recruit from within a 30 mile birth radius of their respective clubs?

Baldseagull says...
10:26am Thu 17 May 12

AmexicanWave wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
seagulljoe wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote:
Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian!

This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!
Agree with all of that (AmexicanWave, you're being a tad harsh there).

Only thing is it could be a pain in the wotsit with another African Cup of Nations due in Jan (yes it was only this winter we had one but they are aligning themselves to the international calendar or some such adjustment).

Oh well, the price of success eh?
It matters not that Adam is 'half' Egyptian. My point is that I am against anyone representing a country that they were not actually born in. That is my opinion, and I know that many others feel the same way.
The whole process of country representation is crazy in many sports, not just football. Let's not forget that the England cricket team should really be called England and South Africa.
As for being a tad harsh Captain Haddock. I think it's more than a tad harsh when someone born in any country is unable to represent their national side, because someone born in another country is filling their position.
So if Cruz Beckham is any good at football when he grows up, he would play for Spain, but his full brother Brooklyn would play for England?

AmexicanWave says...
10:56am Thu 17 May 12

Baldseagull wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
seagulljoe wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote:
Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification.
Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian!

This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!
Agree with all of that (AmexicanWave, you're being a tad harsh there).

Only thing is it could be a pain in the wotsit with another African Cup of Nations due in Jan (yes it was only this winter we had one but they are aligning themselves to the international calendar or some such adjustment).

Oh well, the price of success eh?
It matters not that Adam is 'half' Egyptian. My point is that I am against anyone representing a country that they were not actually born in. That is my opinion, and I know that many others feel the same way.
The whole process of country representation is crazy in many sports, not just football. Let's not forget that the England cricket team should really be called England and South Africa.
As for being a tad harsh Captain Haddock. I think it's more than a tad harsh when someone born in any country is unable to represent their national side, because someone born in another country is filling their position.
So if Cruz Beckham is any good at football when he grows up, he would play for Spain, but his full brother Brooklyn would play for England?
So?

Captain Haddock says...
11:42am Thu 17 May 12

gordongull wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
mark5 wrote:
gordongull wrote:
dave from bexill wrote: NEWS UPDATE Gus on way to Liverpool for discuusion regarding managers post.
Is a discuusion like a discusion, only longer?
Perhaps, but is a "discusion" the same as a "discussion"?!!!
Hahha! Own goal conceded. Didn't even spot that second one.
When he arrives for talks, the Scousers will say, ''allright Gus, sit on dis cusion''.
Haha! Very good.

Captain Haddock says...
11:46am Thu 17 May 12

AmexicanWave: it seems not only reasonable but essential that a man with 50% Egyptian blood is entitled to play for that country if he so wishes and if selected.

Let's agree to comprehensively disagree!

mhaiti says...
11:00am Mon 21 May 12

AmexicanWave wrote:
Captain Haddock wrote:
seagulljoe wrote:
AmexicanWave wrote: Deserved though this is for El-Abd, I cannot help but think that the news underlines the farcical nature of international qualification. Perhaps it won't be long before someone qualifies to play for Australia because their great aunt's third cousin removed owned a budgie.
Hardly, it's his Dad, so therefore he's half Egyptian! This is thoroughly deserved. Very pleased for Adam, and the bit I found quite funny is that Egypt's nickname is 'the Pharaohs'...haha, brilliant!
Agree with all of that (AmexicanWave, you're being a tad harsh there). Only thing is it could be a pain in the wotsit with another African Cup of Nations due in Jan (yes it was only this winter we had one but they are aligning themselves to the international calendar or some such adjustment). Oh well, the price of success eh?
It matters not that Adam is 'half' Egyptian. My point is that I am against anyone representing a country that they were not actually born in. That is my opinion, and I know that many others feel the same way. The whole process of country representation is crazy in many sports, not just football. Let's not forget that the England cricket team should really be called England and South Africa. As for being a tad harsh Captain Haddock. I think it's more than a tad harsh when someone born in any country is unable to represent their national side, because someone born in another country is filling their position.
Are you saying that a child of 2 english nationals born abroad (perhaps on holiday) would be unable to represent their country?!

Absolute rubbish, what happens if someone's born on a boat in international waters, who can they play for...?

I agree, that some countries 'buying in' athletes for the olympics (former soviet weightlifters) is wrong, but this guy is half Egyptian and has EVERY right to play for them.

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