Overview
- The FIFA Disciplinary Committee notified the Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday, October 20, that coach Hossam Hassan and assistant Ibrahim Hassan were each suspended for three matches and forward Mostafa Ziko for five matches, with monetary fines attached.
- FIFA said the penalties respond to on-field gestures and strong public accusations alleging biased refereeing after Egypt’s 3-2 loss to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 on July 7, when a Ziko goal was overturned by VAR and Argentina scored late to win.
- The Egyptian FA has confirmed receipt of the decision and formally requested the committee’s full written grounds so it can study the legal basis and decide whether to file an appeal under FIFA procedures.
- If upheld, the suspensions would likely keep Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan out of Egypt’s upcoming AFCON qualifying matches and could bar Ziko from national selection through roughly mid‑2027, altering team selection and match-day staff roles.
- FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina previously defended referee François Letexier and warned that public allegations of partiality can endanger officials, a point FIFA cited when pursuing disciplinary action.