FIFA Suspends Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan for Three Matches After Argentina Defeat

FIFA has suspended Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan for three matches following his criticism of the referee after the national team’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced the disciplinary measures on Monday, according to Reuters. Egypt forward Mostafa Zico received a five-match suspension, while national team director Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin brother, was handed a three-match ban.

Hossam was sanctioned for blaming refereeing errors for Egypt’s elimination from the tournament in the last 16. Zico, meanwhile, was punished for insulting the referee during a post-match interview following the defeat.

In a statement, the EFA confirmed the sanctions and said it had requested detailed explanations from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. The association said it would review the grounds for the decisions before determining whether to pursue an appeal.

The disciplinary action followed controversy over several refereeing decisions during Egypt’s match against Argentina. Zico had a goal disallowed because of a foul in the build-up, while Egyptian players also appealed for a penalty late in the game when the score stood at 2-2.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officiating, warning that allegations against referees could expose them and their families to threats. His comments came amid debate over the decisions that influenced the match.

The suspensions could complicate Egypt’s preparations for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Malawi in November. Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan could miss those matches, as well as the opening game of the March international window, depending on the application of the bans.

Zico’s five-match suspension could keep him out of international action until June. The EFA’s request for the detailed grounds of the sanctions could determine the next steps in the association’s response to FIFA’s disciplinary decisions.