'Rather starve than coach Israel'

Egyptian coach says he's heard of Israelis killing Arabs, not playing soccer.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Egypt national soccer team coach Hassan Shehata 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Egypt national soccer team coach Hassan Shehata 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
Hassan Shehata, coach of the Egyptian national soccer team, said of the Israeli national team Tuesday that “even if it was the only team that requests my services, I wouldn’t agree (to coach it)," Army Radio reported.
“It would be more honorable to me and my family if I die of hunger rather than consider coaching the Israeli team,” Shehata added. He made the comments in response to an interview in which an Israeli commentator suggested him for the post.
“I understand the source of Israel’s jealousy as far as the success of the Egyptian team goes, but I cannot consider visiting Israel or coaching its team,” he was reported as saying.
"Even if it was the only team in the world and requested my services Iwould refuse – how could they think that I would come to coach the team ofa country that murders children, women and the elderly, and helpelevate the name of the team that represents occupation?”
“Allmy life I’ve heard that Israel kills Arabs, fires missiles and destroysArab villages, but this is the first time in my life that I’ve heardthat in Israel they play soccer,” he was reported as saying.