South African newspaper reports claiming that Egyptian footballers had a romp with South African female companions triggered a firestorm. Inas Mazhar reports from South Africa It was bad enough that Egypt missed out on a chance to advance to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. More was to come after South African newspapers reported that Egypt's football players had caroused with South African prostitutes who, on the said day of merriment, had robbed the players of their money. On Friday, members of the Egyptian delegation announced they had returned to their hotel rooms after their historic 1-0 win over Italy at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to find thieves had made off with $2,400 of their cash. But two South African newspapers gave a different version of events. The Sunday Independent and City Press both quoted police sources as alleging that the players had fallen foul of light- fingered female consorts at an impromptu victory party. The papers quoted an anonymous security source who claimed the Egyptians were caught up "drinking and womanising". City Press said sources in the police, at the hotel and the World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) had also said there was no sign of forced entry into the players' rooms, nor any sign they had been burgled. The newspapers questioned why the robbery had only been reported to police several hours after the incident. In South Africa, the reports infuriated the team. Following the allegations, captain Ahmed Hassan and star player Mohamed Abu Treika vowed never to play again for Egypt. They were particularly incensed by Egyptian TV presenter Amr Adib who had repeatedly insinuated the reports might be true. Adib's inflammatory remarks, on his popular talk show Al-Qahira Al-Yom, had the players in a frenzy. On the bus on their way back from the Royal Bafekong Stadium following their 3-0 defeat to the USA, the players' wives were busy calling them by mobile, relaying what Adib had said. The angry players in turn called up the show to defend their reputation. Adib backtracked the following day, issuing an on-air apology. Hours before the Egyptians left South Africa, they held a press conference attended by Egyptian Football Association (EFA) President Samir Zaher, head of the team delegation Mahmoud Taher, Danny Jordan, executive director of the South Africa Organising Committee and the Egyptian ambassador to South Africa. Jordan congratulated the Egyptians on their brilliant performances against Brazil and Italy. "They have made Africa so proud. We really wanted them to continue the tournament with us but for some circumstances they couldn't," Jordan told reporters. "I'm here to talk about the theft incident which is still being investigated by the police. I've spoken to the top security officials who said there had been no statement from the police to any newspapers about womanising as was mentioned. "So, I can say that the Egyptians can go back home with high integrity and we would like to see them here at the World Cup finals next year," Jordan said. "The Egyptian delegation is disappointed with the false accusations that were published in some South African newspapers concerning the theft incident which quoted an unidentified top police security official. Security officials should have been focussed on their duties, a thorough investigation and to report the results," Taher said. "After what was published by the newspapers today we are demanding a formal statement from the police department to either deny these allegations or provide us with evidence they have, if any. "Since its arrival in South Africa the Egyptian delegation has been a perfect model during this competition with their discipline and dedication to the competition by the testimony of all officials from the LOC and FIFA. "Since our arrival, Egypt has been very keen on supporting South Africa in bringing out a successful and spectacular event that will make all Africans proud. "The LOC has provided very tight security for the Egyptian team, especially inside the hotel and with their transportation issues, since their arrival. These tight security measures do not allow any strangers access to the hotel floor where the delegation was staying. "We have demanded a formal apology from both newspapers and a full report from the police department concerning these false and shameful allegations which have ruined the reputation of our respectable players and caused them problems back home," Taher added. South Africa's deputy president said the police had not released any news as such to any newspaper. On Tuesday morning, the Egyptian team was received at Cairo Airport by leading National Democratic Party official Gamal Mubarak and National Sports Council President Hassan Sakr. That night, EFA head Samir Zaher said such high-ranking officials "would never had gone to the airport had they had the slightest suspicions about our players." Along with the Egyptian squad, the Brazilian team also announced it was robbed. Team spokesman Rodrigo Paiva said "a jacket and some money" disappeared from some of the rooms at the Centurion Lake Hotel, just outside Pretoria. The country's high crime rate has been the subject of concern since FIFA announced that the World Cup would take place in Africa for the first time in the tournament's history. (see p.13)
