CAIRO: Emad Meteb claimed on Wednesday that he was misled by his agent prior to the collapse of his move to English side Bristol City.
The Ahly striker was set to complete a 1.5-million-English-pound move to Bristol but the deal subsequently fell through.
Bristol officials were infuriated by Meteb s participation in Ahly’s Champions League victory Zamalek on July 20, one day before he was due to link up with his new teammates.
The 25-year-old frontman blamed his agent Mohamed Hamid for the deal s cancellation.
Bristol manager Gary Johnson initially rejected my request to play against Zamalek. He told me not to feature in the game, Meteb told Dream TV.
But I was keen to take part in the match. Ahly fans were hoping to see me step onto the pitch against Zamalek and I couldn t let them down.
I then contacted Johnson once again through Hamid, who told me that the manager still refuses to give me the green light to play one last game for Ahly.
I eventually informed Hamid that I m ready to pen a contract which takes effect on July 21 in order to have a chance to play with Ahly one day earlier.
Hamid consulted Johnson and later told me it was ok if I participated in the game.
But I found out that my participation caused problems and that Johnson did not agree to let me play against Zamalek.
However, Meteb s agent Mohamed Hamid said that his client s greediness led to the cancellation of his move to Bristol City.
Meteb played against Zamalek with the hope of impressing and finding a better offer elsewhere, Hamid told FilGoal.com on Wednesday.
Meteb s personal adviser, Nader Shawky, convinced him that if he put in a fine display in the Cairo derby he would attract more suitors.
Hamid refuted Meteb’s claims that he had provided him with Bristol’s approval for participation in the game. Meteb threatened not to complete the move if Johnson did not allow him to participate in Ahly s African encounter against Zamalek.
I did my best to convince Johnson let Meteb play the game, but my efforts were to no avail.
Meteb should have fulfilled his promise of not featuring in the match because he did not get Johnson s approval.
Meteb revealed that Bristol didn t pull the plug on the deal, but tabled a renewed bid that was unacceptable for both the player and Ahli.
They wanted to acquire my services for 1.2 million English pounds, Meteb said in a disappointed tone.
I then took a final decision to stay at Ahly regardless of Bristol s stance.
Meteb, who came through Ahly s youth ranks, still pursues a European move.
I will not give up my dream to play in a European competitive league. I ll wait for my chance, he added.
