FIFA’s disciplinary committee has notified the Egyptian FA of the suspensions of Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan (3 matches) and of Mostafa Zico (5 matches), after the insults directed at referee François Letexier.
The punishment has landed, and it goes well beyond the touchline. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has notified the Egyptian Football Association of a three-match ban for Hossam Hassan, the national team head coach, and for his brother Ibrahim Hassan, the national team director, according to L’Équipe and Seneweb.
Egypt international striker Mostafa Zico, for his part, receives a hefty five-match international suspension. The cause: the virulent remarks and insults aimed at French referee François Letexier after the 2026 World Cup round of 16, lost 3-2 to Argentina.
A disallowed goal, then words too many
The disciplinary case dates back to the evening of the round of 16. Mostafa Zico is sanctioned for insulting the referee in the mixed zone, after his goal was disallowed by VAR early in the second half. Hossam Hassan, for his part, had accused the refereeing of being “neither just nor fair”, according to L’Équipe.
The head coach had also stated: “There was pressure exerted on the referee by the Argentine camp which led to this result.”
A cruel scenario against the Albiceleste
On the pitch, Egypt’s exit had plenty to fuel the frustration. The Egyptians led 2-0 against Argentina until the 79th minute before going down 3-2. That late turnaround, compounded by the goal disallowed for Zico, came before the criticism from the Egyptian staff.
Sportingly, Egypt currently sit in the continental top 3 in the FIFA ranking and are preparing for matchdays 3 and 4 of the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
Malawi without the Hassan brothers
The Hassan brothers’ three-match suspension has an immediate effect on the calendar. The head coach and his director will not be able to sit on the bench for the two matches against Malawi in November, in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, nor against Angola in March 2027. Mostafa Zico, meanwhile, will be kept off international pitches until June 2027.
The Egyptian Federation announced in an official statement that it has contacted FIFA to obtain the detailed written grounds for the decision, in order to launch an official appeal. The formal appeal itself has yet to be lodged with FIFA’s appeal committee.