CAIRO: Masri coach Hossam Hassan said on Thursday that Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officials are mistreating him because they are jealous of his success.
The 42-year-old was handed a six-match touchline ban on Wednesday for trying to assault the referee of Masri s 2-1 Egyptian League defeat to Telecom Egypt.
Hassan, who was also fined LE 50,000, started the new season on the sidelines, serving a three-match supsension imposed after last season s finale.
Despite being widely appreciated for the work he has done for Masri since taking charge of the club last season, Hassan was consistently criticized for failing to control his temper.
The former Egypt striker almost protests every single decision that comes against the Port Said-based club.
Hassan handed in his resignation to Masri board recently, but backtracked on his decision few days later
The former Egypt striker, who won a record 170 international caps, branded the punishments “unfair and said that he is being penalized for his success.
Some people attacked me when I was at my peak as a player and called for my retirement, Hassan told FilGoal.com.
Those people are also attacking me now after witnessing my success as a coach.
The unfair treatment I receive does not bother me, because this means I m a successful man. They wouldn t have acted like this if I was not successful.
Making an immediate impact as a coach angered many people, including some fellow managers who are yet to leave their mark despite beginning their coaching career many years ago.
Hassan also accused the EFA of favoring Cairo duo Ahly and Zamalek.
If Ahly and Zamalek managers had a behavior similar to mine, the EFA would have never punished them.
Company-owned clubs are also favored by the EFA. But Masri, as well as several other teams, are being targeted for having a big fan base.
Hassan believes the EFA should improve the standard of refereeing rather than imposing “unnecessary fines on their criticizers.
Egyptian refereeing is very poor. We did not have a single referee to represent us in the 2006 and the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
And in our local matches, we appoint referees from countries like Seychelles and Mauritius, he concluded.
TV cameras spotted the 42-year-old trying to break into the field and assault the referee in Masri s 2-1 defeat to Telecom Egypt on Saturday.
