Hassan was unhappy to see the former Zamalek captain maintain play while defender Mahmoud Fathallah was injured in the second half.

“Hassan told me angrily: ‘You should have had shown some goodwill by putting the ball off the field’,” Abou-Ella told Modern Kora TV.

“I replied by saying that I actually tried to do so, but there was no chance. I can’t see a reason for such an outburst, but anyway I have a lot of respect for Hassan.”

Great difference

Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin brother played down the incident after the match, while aiming a swipe at Aboul-Ella.

“It was nothing, but I think there is a great difference between the names of Hossam Hassan and Mohamed Aboul-Ella,” said the former Egypt international.

“I really cannot understand why former Zamalek play with such a high spirit against their old club.”

Aboul-Ella, 31, spent most of his career with Zamalek, before leaving the Cairo club for Military Production in 2009.