Al Ahly leader Mahmoud El Khatib has been forced to take the backseat ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

El Khatib often travels with the Red Devils, but as they leave for the United States on Wednesday, he will remain in Egypt.

“The president will be unable to travel with the Al Ahly delegation heading to the United States to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup,” confirmed the club in a statement.

“This is due to his urgent need to undergo some medical tests following the dizziness he experienced while chairing several meetings at the club’s headquarters in Al-Gezira [on Tuesday].

“It was decided to assign Engineer Khaled Mortagy to head the delegation until the club president is able to join them in the coming few days.”

Al Ahly are in Group A alongside Inter Miami [USA], Palmeiras [Brazil] and Porto [Portugal].

They open their campaign with a match against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on 15 June.

Meanwhile, Malian international Aliou Dieng has cut short his loan spell at Saudi side Al Kholood and he’s back with Al Ahly.