Problems for Mancini in Saudi Arabia: three members of the squad refuse to play!

Selection problems Saudi Arabia before debuting this Tuesday against Oman (6:30 p.m.). Roberto Mancini He confirmed in the press conference before the match that he had to do without the three players called up because they asked to be starters. Al-Faraj, Al-Ghannam and Al-Aqidithey stopped summoning when they saw that their demands would not be fulfilled.

“Al-Ghanam and Al-Aqidi asked to play as starters, but I am the coach and the one who makes the decisions. We asked the three of them two or three times if they wanted to play for the national team and the answer was no, ” highlighted the former Italian coach. .

The case of Salman Al Faraj and Sultan Al Ghanam is different from the case of Nawaf Al Aqidi

Alman Al Faraj (Al Hilal player) and Sultan Al Ghanam of Al Nassr They refused to participate in the warm-up friendlies and finally Mancini was not with him, “Salman refused to participate in the friendly matches and Sultan Al Ghanam told me that he is not happy and if he does not play he will not participate in team. . That’s how things are. It’s a big problem and I want to keep players who value the national team, not those who play only thinking about themselves. They made the decision not to play for the national team, not me. I am the coach and the decision maker. They don’t want to play, I’ve sent them away and I won’t call them anymoreMancini assured. They did not travel to Qatar.

For his part, the goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi (starter at Al Nassr) went to the goalkeeping coach and told him: ‘I don’t want to stay if I don’t participate as a starter.’ I spoke to the president of the football federation and told him that Nawaf wanted to leave the rally. “We have other goalkeepers.” He actually traveled with the team.

Sultan Al Ghanam denied everything

According to the footballer, ” Mancini only spoke to me once about his request. I expressed my strong desire to play and serve the team on the field with everything I have. I don’t like being a player who doesn’t play, which is normal for any player who dreams of representing his team. “I didn’t mention to him that my participation depends on one condition being a starter.”

The atmosphere is very tense in the team and it seems that this is not the best way to face the first match of a championship in which they have high hopes, because Muhammad Maran, Ali Hazazi and Khaled Al Ghanam are also absent because of their lack of attitude. in battles. training. Mancini still has work to do.