Mohamed Salah is set to miss the Tokyo Olympics with Egypt as Liverpool are reluctant to let him leave before the start of the season.
Egypt's FA president Ahmed Megahed was hopeful that Salah would be available to represent his nation in this summer's games, which run from July 21 to August 7.
But the Premier League season kicks off on August 14 with Liverpool away at Norwich, and Reds chiefs want Salah to have a pre-season with the club.
It is feared that Salah, who won't get a break if he travels to Tokyo over the summer, will not be ready for the start of the season.
And it is because of this, and the fact that Liverpool are expecting to lose Salah in January during the African Cup of Nations, that they are rejecting Egypt's request.
Megahed previously admitted that it would be difficult to get Liverpool to agree to let Salah leave Anfield on two separate occasions next season.
He added that the Reds had already snubbed Egypt's opening request.
"I do not want to say that it is impossible for Salah to participate in the Olympics, but it is difficult," Megahed told ONTimeSport.
"Salah agreed to lead the Olympic team during the last camp of the Egyptian team.
"We contacted Liverpool to allow Salah to join the Olympic team, and they said they were waiting for the approval of the technical staff.
"But in the end, Liverpool refused the request because they do not want to lose the player at the beginning of the season, as well as next January with the Africa Cup of Nations, which will keep him from participating in the English Premier League matches."
He added: "We spoke with Salah again. And he told us that he will make a new attempt with the technical staff of his team, to resolve the matter, and within the next two days he will find a way."
