Mido sorry for Egypt snub

New Spurs star Mido will this weekend make an astonishing attempt to rescue his international career by issuing a public apology to the Egyptian people.

The Tottenham striker is banned indefinitely from playing for Egypt by his country's football association following a row with former coach Marco Tardelli.

But Mido, who has 34 caps and is Egypt's answer to David Beckham, is determined to get the ban overturned. He returns to Cairo this weekend to make a public plea for a second chance.

Essam Abdel-Moneim, the Egyptian Football Association chairman, told Standard Sport: "We have no objections providing he apologises to the people of Egypt and the association.

"If he promises never to do something like that again then we can forgive him. He is a young player and it was his first mistake for the national team. After that, it is up to the coach [Shawky Ghareib] whether or not he is selected. He has obviously made a good start for Tottenham, but he needs to show consistency."

The 21-year-old is expected to hold a press conference on Sunday in the hope of finally settling a dispute which relates to a World Cup qualifying match against Cameroon last September.

Mido claimed he was not available for selection due to a groin injury but then played in a friendly match for his club AS Roma within 24 hours of Egypt's game.

The move sparked outrage in his homeland with the media denouncing the striker as a "traitor". Tardelli succeeded in persuading the Egypt FA's support in omitting him from future internationals. But since the Italian's sacking last October there has been a gradual softening in attitudes towards Mido and his return would be boost Egypt's World Cup qualifying campaign.

He has already apologised to the association, but officials want him to make a public gesture.