This is how most of Egypt’s so-called media reflected on Bob Bradley’s far-from-innocuous statements about the political turmoil in Egypt.
It’s all about suspense, actually futile suspense. This is the trend in Egypt, this is the style followed by the majority of ‘journalists’ and that’s exactly what we do not need at the moment.
Let’s be realistic and admit that suspense in itself is a legitimate subject, sometimes a theme affixed to the ever-passionate game of football.
But when you add some self-centered trade-mark Egyptian exaggeration to the mix, you get load of bull###t…destructive bull###t.
Now let’s move to Bradley’s quotes following the verdict of the Port-Said trial.
"As is always the case in Egypt, there will be a huge divide, and that's what happened in Port Said today," he said.
"Many people at the moment are frustrated. There's no trust of the leadership that has been in place now. And then of course there are others that support the Muslim Brotherhood. This comes out in different ways. ..
And then came a quote that sums up the whole scene in Egypt…
"And depending on which side you support, you have a different opinion in terms of how things have gone, and maybe what the next step is."
Depending on which side you support, you form an opinion, you judge people, you even bless us with your vision about the future!
Now I am struggling to see which part of Bradley’s quotes suggest any criticism to the Egyptian presidency to the extent that makes him subject to 'investigation'.
Speaking about the divisive mood and the sense of sheer frustration in the Egyptian streets is no way near the 'unforgivable crime of talking politics'!
Unfortunately that whenever Bradley speaks, more than 95% of Egyptian internet followers only get the Arabic - or rather the Egyptian - version of his statements, without having a clue about the original quotes.
Egypt assistant coach Diaa Al-Sayed - the second man constantly facing the daunting task of dealing with the Egyptian media - had every right to warn that web news can sometimes be devastating for the national team.
Bradley and Al-Sayed, along with the rest of the crew including Egypt players, are already confronted by abnormal challenges trying to maintain the hope of qualifying for the World Cup, and the last thing they need is the antics of our local media.
And unfortunately, ignoring the press is hardly a solution because whether you like it or not…THE MEDIA HAS AN IMPACT ON FOOTBALL TEAMS.
Hopefully this managing staff can carry on working with the same steady approach they’ve been following against such a barrage of challenges, especially that needless useless internet speculation.
And hopefully the patience of Bradley and Co. won’t be over soon because the uphill battle of going to Brazil isn’t getting any easier.