FIFA’s disciplinary committee sanctioned national team coach Hossam Hassan, his brother Ibrahim and forward Mostafa Zico after the Pharaohs’ elimination by Argentina in the World Cup round of 16. The coach accepts it and calls it an “honour”.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has been suspended for three matches, according to Africanews and Anadolu Agency. His twin brother Ibrahim Hassan, the national team’s general manager, receives the same punishment, while forward Mostafa Zico is banned for five matches outright.
The sanctions stem from heated remarks and clashes with the refereeing team during the World Cup round of 16 defeat, 3-2 to Argentina in Atlanta. The Pharaohs led 2-0 before going down, after conceding a disputed goal in the closing minutes.
Zico heavily punished
Mostafa Zico receives the heaviest sanction in the case, with a five-match outright suspension. According to Reuters and MEO, the Egyptian forward was punished for insulting the referee in the mixed zone, after a goal was disallowed for an earlier foul. His suspension will keep him off international pitches until June 2027.
“An honour for me”
Rather than bow his head, Hossam Hassan chose to turn the sanction into a distinction. “This suspension handed down by FIFA is an honour for me,” he told Goal.com. He describes the decision as a badge of honour for defending the sporting honour of the Pharaohs.
A reaction that contrasts with the seriousness of the alleged conduct. Those remarks and clashes with the refereeing team led the disciplinary committee to act, although world football’s governing body has not yet detailed the grounds for its decision.
EFA considering an appeal
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has requested the full grounds of the ruling from FIFA in order to examine the possibility of lodging an appeal, according to Anadolu. No appeal has yet been filed.
For Hossam Hassan, the price is also steep: he will miss the crucial AFCON qualifiers against Malawi, scheduled for November. Egypt will therefore have to make do without their main coaching staff on the bench for that double header.