Ahli players shocked by FA verdict

A state of ‘anger and shock’ dominated the Ahli camp following the FA’s announcement of its decisions regarding last month’s Port-Said disaster, to the Cairo club’s website said.

The Egyptian Football Association’s board- temporarily led by executive manager Anwar Saleh – announced its verdict on the infamous incident, imposing a two-season ban against Masri, which includes the already-called-off 2011-2012 campaign.

Moreover, the league holders were left livid by what they described as an ‘unfair’ sanction against manager Manuel Jose and skipper Hossam Ghaly, plus a four-match stadium ban.

The Ahli statement, however, indicated that the squad – who flied to Addis Ababa this weekend – are trying to focus on Sunday’s Champions League game with Ethiopian Coffee.

Meanwhile, Mauritanian striker Dominique da Silva has been included in the Coffee-match squad, despite recent fears raised by the Ahli medical staff over a chronic muscle problem.

Veteran Mohamed Barakat was also named after recovering from a minor injury but Emad Meteb and Abdullah Al-Saied are sidelined, reported filgoal.