Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has dismissed reports of alleged disagreements with his star forward Mohamed Salah.
Salah is a "great player who helps his team-mates, is very disciplined, and sets a good example. And whether he's in the starting line-up or comes off the bench, that's fine. That's his role as a player," Hassan said during a press conference on Saturday.
Ahead of Sunday's second World Cup group stage match against New Zealand, the coach was asked if he wanted to comment on the reports that Salah had not taken his substitution well in the opening match against Belgium.
That was not the case, Hassan said. Egypt was held to a 1-1 draw with the Belgians.
"I don't have any favourites. I don't try to please or displease anyone. I trust the 26 players, and they trust me," Hassan said.
"So everyone has to prove themselves on the field, and Mo Salah played great in the first game."
