Overview
- FIFA on Tuesday suspended coach Hossam Hassan for three matches, assistant Ibrahim Hassan for three matches, and forward Mostafa Ziko for five matches and levied estimated fines that total about $60,000.
- The punishments stem from visible gestures during Egypt’s July 7 loss to Argentina and from Ziko’s post-match accusations that the referee had acted against Egypt.
- The Egyptian Football Association has asked FIFA for the written reasoning behind the decision and said it is assessing whether to file an appeal under FIFA procedures.
- The bans could keep Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan out of upcoming African qualifying fixtures, including matches against Malawi, and may delay Ziko’s return to national selection until mid-2027 depending on match counting.
- FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina publicly defended referee François Letexier and warned that public accusations of bias can endanger officials, and the case closes a disciplinary review that took more than three months after the July 7 match.