Mido given six-month ban for touchline rant

CAIRO – Egypt striker Mido was yesterday banned for six months from the national team after his extraordinary touchline confrontation with manager Hassan Shehata in Tuesday’s African Nations Cup semi-final against Senegal.

The Tottenham forward was furious at being taken off late in the second half, and in front of 74 000 fans made his feelings known in no uncertain terms to Shehata. The 22-year-old was also ordered out of Egypt’s training camp.Mido’s suspension – which rules him out of Friday’s final against Ivory Coast – was announced by Samir Zaher, president of the Egypt football federation, after a meeting of the federation’s officials yesterday.Mido lost his cool when Shehata decided to replace him by Amr Zaki with 11 minutes remaining and the match tied at 1-1.The Tottenham striker who had hailed himself as the ‘big man’ for this tournament stared in disbelief at Shehata and held his hands out in astonishment.He then ambled off the field in a state of disbelief as Zaki waited to go on.Mido approached Shehata as cries of “out! out!” rang around the stadium.”Why are you taking me off?” asked a furious Mido.”Because I am the coach,” replied Shehata.”You are nothing but a donkey!” stormed Mido.”No it is you who is the donkey,” replied Shehata.Mido was then pulled away by his veteran teammate Hossam Hassan.A minute later Shehata’s moment of triumph came as Zaki headed home the decisive goal.Mido also received little succour from his team-mates as having had to be pushed by one of the staff members to go and join in the celebrations after the goal Zaki pushed him away – instead he and the rest of the squad ran and embraced Shehata.Mido had already angered his team mates by refusing to share a room with one of them – as is the norm at major tournaments – and insisted on having one with his wife.-Nampa-AFPThe 22-year-old was also ordered out of Egypt’s training camp.Mido’s suspension – which rules him out of Friday’s final against Ivory Coast – was announced by Samir Zaher, president of the Egypt football federation, after a meeting of the federation’s officials yesterday.Mido lost his cool when Shehata decided to replace him by Amr Zaki with 11 minutes remaining and the match tied at 1-1.The Tottenham striker who had hailed himself as the ‘big man’ for this tournament stared in disbelief at Shehata and held his hands out in astonishment.He then ambled off the field in a state of disbelief as Zaki waited to go on.Mido approached Shehata as cries of “out! out!” rang around the stadium.”Why are you taking me off?” asked a furious Mido.”Because I am the coach,” replied Shehata.”You are nothing but a donkey!” stormed Mido.”No it is you who is the donkey,” replied Shehata.Mido was then pulled away by his veteran teammate Hossam Hassan.A minute later Shehata’s moment of triumph came as Zaki headed home the decisive goal.Mido also received little succour from his team-mates as having had to be pushed by one of the staff members to go and join in the celebrations after the goal Zaki pushed him away – instead he and the rest of the squad ran and embraced Shehata.Mido had already angered his team mates by refusing to share a room with one of them – as is the norm at major tournaments – and insisted on having one with his wife.-Nampa-AFP