Media personality Karim Hassan Shehata has once again addressed the controversy caused by his comments regarding international referee Mohamed Maarouf and the reported conversation involving Wael Gomaa, Al Ahly’s team manager, during the Al Ahly-ZED match.
Shehata stressed that he takes full responsibility for what he said and insisted that he would not have presented the information on air without being confident in it, according to his own explanation. ⚽🔥
The case has developed into a major debate in Egyptian football, particularly because different accounts have emerged regarding the alleged conversation and its content, while several parties have called for the recordings from the Video Assistant Referee room to be reviewed in order to settle the matter.
Karim Hassan Shehata: The Information Came From My Production Team
Karim Hassan Shehata explained that the information concerning Mohamed Maarouf reached him and his production team, adding that he did not want to reveal details about the source in order to protect the people who provided the information.
He said that what increased his confidence in the account, according to his explanation, was the sequence of events during the match, beginning with the interaction between Maarouf and Wael Gomaa and continuing through the events that eventually led to Ali Mahmoud being substituted.
The media personality stressed that he did not want to enter into a confrontation with any club and that his purpose was not to create a crisis but to present information that he believed to be accurate.
“I Take Responsibility for What I Said”
Karim Hassan Shehata responded to criticism by insisting that he stands by his comments and takes responsibility for what he said.
He also questioned why he should apologize if he remains convinced that the information he received was accurate.
At the same time, he explained that there were additional details he did not want to reveal because doing so could harm individuals or organizations, stressing that some information cannot always be discussed publicly regardless of its importance.
His comments highlight the pressure journalists can face when presenting exclusive information involving a highly controversial sporting incident. 📢
Wael Gomaa Denies It.. Shehata Stands by His Account
Regarding Wael Gomaa’s denial of the reported incident, Shehata indicated that the denial does not represent conclusive proof, from his perspective, that the conversation did not take place.
At the same time, he emphasized that the VAR recordings can completely settle the dispute, calling for the period before Ali Mahmoud’s substitution to be reviewed rather than relying on isolated excerpts or sections removed from their context.
The recordings therefore remain the most important element because they could move the debate from competing accounts to direct evidence. 🎥⚖️
“I’m the Weakest Side in This Story”
Karim Hassan Shehata acknowledged that he feels he is the party under the greatest pressure in the controversy, particularly because major clubs, institutions and sporting figures are involved.
He explained that he does not have an organization protecting him from the consequences of what he says and ultimately has to carry responsibility for his statements personally.
However, he also confirmed that he does not intend to withdraw his account, while recognizing that the controversy could have significant consequences for him.
His Previous Experience With Mohamed Maarouf
Shehata also discussed previous experiences involving Mohamed Maarouf, explaining that he has personal impressions about the referee’s way of dealing with certain popular clubs.
However, he stressed that the current incident should not be settled based solely on personal impressions.
Ultimately, the truth should be determined by the available recordings and evidence rather than the personal evaluations people may have of one another. ⭐
Contact With Essam Abdel-Fattah
Shehata revealed that he spoke with Essam Abdel-Fattah about the controversy, explaining that he expressed his support for referees and confidence in the handling of the issue.
He said their discussion included the controversy surrounding his comments and that those overseeing the refereeing system were aware of the situation and were waiting to see what the recordings would reveal.
This suggests that the issue has moved beyond media statements and is now being monitored within the refereeing structure itself.
Why Hasn’t He Revealed Everything?
Shehata explained that there is information he knows but cannot disclose because he does not want to embarrass individuals or create problems for them.
He also stressed that exclusive sports news does not always come from sources who can be publicly identified or openly documented, because journalism sometimes relies on information provided by people who request confidentiality.
However, such information still requires strong verification, particularly when it concerns allegations or incidents that could affect people’s reputations. 🏆
The Ali Mahmoud Incident Remains Central
Shehata connected his account to the sequence of events during the match, pointing out that the penalty incident involving Ali Mahmoud occurred later before Ahmed Reda came on as his replacement.
He believes this sequence supports the details he presented and insisted that he did not speak randomly or without understanding the events he was discussing.
Nevertheless, proving a direct connection between the events and the content of the reported conversation still requires direct evidence, making the VAR recordings especially important.
“I Wish I Had Stayed Out of It”
Shehata acknowledged that he sometimes wished he had never become involved in the controversy, saying that the issue had taken on much larger dimensions than he initially expected.
Despite this, he reiterated that he wants to bring the matter to an end without further problems while maintaining his position regarding the information he presented.
Ultimately, the VAR recordings remain the decisive point. If they confirm the account, the entire picture could change. If they contradict it, questions will remain about how the original information emerged and spread.
✨ Karim Hassan Shehata continues to stand by his account in the Mohamed Maarouf controversy while emphasizing that the complete VAR recordings remain the clearest route to ending the debate and revealing the truth to everyone.
📢 Do you believe releasing or reviewing the complete VAR recordings is the final solution to the Mohamed Maarouf and Karim Hassan Shehata controversy? Share your opinion. ⚽🔥
