After the controversy sparked by Algerian coach Gamal Belmady's comments about the Egyptian fans and their encouragement for Algeria in the final of the African Cup of Nations, Ballamadi explained what he meant by the statements.
Belmadi denied that he had intended to show his unwillingness to encourage the Egyptian fans to his country's team, adding that he had full respect for the Egyptian audience.
"What I mean is that everyone is free, whoever wants to encourage us is welcome, and those who do not want to do so have the right, and no one can force the other to do anything," the coach said.
Balmadi explains: All respect and appreciation to the Egyptian public pic.twitter.com/PJu9ZoZ2eM
– Organizing Committee for the 2019 African Cup (@ Egypt2019) July 18, 2019
"I did not mean that I do not want to encourage the Egyptian masses, but what I mean is that they have the freedom to make any decision they want, and we will be fine in any case because there are masses of people from Algeria to support us, but in the end welcome the Egyptian masses to our side tomorrow."
"As for the Egyptian fans expected to attend, we already have fans coming from Algeria, which is enough for us," he told the Egyptian fans, who will attend the final of the African Nations Cup between Algeria and Senegal.
He continued: "If the Egyptian masses wanted to join us, welcome, and if they did not want Vkvina our fans."
The Algerian team managed to overcome the hurdle of Nigeria in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win and qualify for Senegal in the final on Friday.
Algeria have not qualified for the final since their arrival in 1990 and the crowning of Nigeria.
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