Egypt coach Bob Bradley has criticised UAE-based pair Mahmoud Shikabala and Mohammad Zidan after dropping them from his most recent squad, declaring he picks players based on "morals and commitment".
Shikabala, 26, left Cairo club Zamalek SC for Al-Wasi following a fall-out with his then manager Hassan Shehata, borne out of a touchline bust-up. The winger's behaviour resulted in him being left out of the Egypt squad and being sold to the UAE.
Zidan's crime was refusing an international call-up in order to find himself a new club after his release from Mainz in Germany. He eventually signed for Bani Yas, also in the UAE.
The 30-year-old striker lost a lot of respect in Egypt after supporting former president Hosni Mubarak's regime while the country was mid-revolution, with newspapers reporting that he had a meeting with the dictator's son Alaa Mubarak in prison, something Zidan denies. Bradley said: "We have definite rules for calling players for the national team. Morals come first and then we look for the fitness and performance.
"I have no personal problems with any player, including Shikabala and Zidan, but featuring for the national team needs ethical commitment on the pitch, especially as football is a team sport."
Egypt's original friendly with Saudi Arabia has been postponed from September 11 to October 16, with Bradley hoping to quickly find new opposition for next month.
