CAIRO: Nasr midfielder Hossam Ghaly assured that his challenge on Hilal s Osama Hawsawi wasn t deliberately harsh as it was portrayed to be.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man was quoted by Saudi paper Al-Ektesadia as saying his controversial play was nothing more than a normal obstruction.

A scuffle was about to occur when Ghaly kneed Saudi ace Hawsawi in the back while trying to head the ball during Nasr s 1-0 loss to Hilal in the Crown Prince Cup.

I didn t mean to hurt him, and I don t think the challenge was too tough, the Egyptian international commented on the incident.

Some Saudi reports suggested that Ghaly might be handed a four-match suspension, as he allegedly spat on the 24-year-old defender.

However, the allegation hasn t been substantiated, as instant replays didn t reveal such reaction.