Egypt FA president Ahmed Megahed insists they tried everything to secure Mohamed Salah a release from Liverpool for the Olympic Games.
It was confirmed on the weekend that Salah would not be going to Tokyo with Egypt.
Megahed said: “We started talking with them a long time ago because Salah wanted to play the Olympic Games, but Liverpool were unclear.
“I knew in June they would not let him go. Anyway we respect their decision."
Salah will now be able to take part in a full pre-season programme along with Ibrahima Konate and Takumi Minamino, whose respective absences from the France and Japan squads were confirmed last month.
