Mohamed Salah has been left out of Egypt's squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan, according to multiple outlets. The Egyptian Football Association announced the decision, citing the artificial turf surface on which the match will be played.
According to Al Jazeera English, the Egyptian FA decided to rest Salah to protect him from playing on artificial turf, which is considered likelier to cause injury than natural grass.
Several outlets, including Arab News, Yahoo Sports, BBC Sport, BBC News, The Straits Times, Reuters and CNA, confirmed that Salah will not travel with the squad because of the artificial pitch.
How each side covered it
Left
- Al Jazeera English reported that Egypt's FA decided to rest Salah specifically to protect him from injury.
- Framed the decision around the increased injury risk associated with artificial turf surfaces.
“Egyptian FA has decided to rest Salah to protect him from playing on artificial turf, which is likelier to cause injury.” — Al Jazeera English
Center
- Multiple center outlets, including Reuters, BBC, Arab News, Yahoo Sports, The Straits Times and CNA, reported Salah's exclusion from the squad.
- Reports centered on the Egyptian FA's official announcement citing the artificial turf pitch as the reason.
- Coverage was largely uniform in wording and emphasis across these outlets.
“Egypt's Salah ruled out of South Sudan qualifier due to artificial surface” — Reuters
Questions readers ask
Why was Mohamed Salah left out of Egypt's squad?
The Egyptian Football Association ruled Mohamed Salah out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the match will be played on an artificial turf pitch.
What competition is this match part of?
The match against South Sudan is an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier involving the Egyptian national football team.
Is there a specific injury concern cited?
According to Al Jazeera English, the Egyptian FA decided to rest Salah to protect him from artificial turf, which is considered likelier to cause injury than natural grass.
Sources · 8 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningEgypt to rest Salah in South Sudan AFCON qualifier over pitch concerns
- Arab NewsCenterEgypt’s Salah ruled out of South Sudan qualifier due to artificial surface
- BBC NewsCenterMohamed Salah: Egypt leave forward out of South Sudan game over artificial pitch
- BBC SportCenterMohamed Salah: Egypt leave forward out of South Sudan game over artificial pitch
- CNACenterEgypt's Salah ruled out of South Sudan qualifier due to artificial surface
- ReutersCenterEgypt's Salah ruled out of South Sudan qualifier due to artificial surface
- The Straits TimesCenterEgypt's Salah ruled out of South Sudan qualifier due to artificial surface
- Yahoo SportsCenterSalah out of Egypt game because of artificial turf