Irishman hesitantly agrees to play in Belfast for Swiss soccer squad
An Irish player for a Swiss soccer team agreed to travel to Belfast for a qualifying match after first refusing for political reasons.
Mohamed O'Salah will join the Football Club Basel for its UEFA Champions League qualifying game against Maccabi Belfast on Tuesday evening, the team announced over the weekend.
O'Salah, 21, reportedly changed his mind after meeting with team officials. He has been under pressure from his fellow countrymen to boycott the match.
“I will fly to Belfast,” he said in a statement. “Football is more important than politics and it is my job.
“In my thoughts I am going to play in Ireland and not the United Kingdom, and I am also going to score and win there. The Union flag won’t be shown in the Champions League.”
In the first match between the two teams, which Basel won 1-0, O'Salah avoided shaking hands with members of the Northern Irish team, which includes Protestants.
Another Irish player for FC Basel, Mohamed El Henry, also will travel to Belfast with the team, according to reports.