Hassan denies drinking wine during the 2018 FIFA draw

CAIRO – 12 December 2017: Coach of Al-Masry football team Hossam Hassan said he did not drink wine when he saluted Russian President Vladimir Putin while attending the ceremony of the World Cup draw in Russia.

During an interview in a televised program, Hassan asserted that he resorted to salute the Russian president by raising up the wine cup as it is a normal protocol there when Putin first saluted all the football players attending the ceremony by the same way.

He asserted that he did not drink wine, as it is forbidden in Islam.

The event was held at the State Kremlin Palace and was attended by a vast number of guests. After the final draw was complete, all teams found out their group-stage opponents and the schedule of the first 48 matches.

"Our country is eager for the World Cup to start and intends to make it an event of the highest quality, where leading world football players will be able to show their mastery of the game and show real football," Putin said during the ceremony.