FIFA suspends Hossam Hassan for three matches and Ziko for five
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Beninwebtv
FIFA has suspended Egypt manager Hossam Hassan and his brother Ibrahim, the team director, for three matches, while striker Mostafa Ziko has been given five. The sanctions follow their criticism of the refereeing after Egypt’s 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, according to the Egyptian Football Association.
FIFA has suspended Egypt manager Hossam Hassan and his brother Ibrahim Hassan, the national team director, for three matches. Egyptian striker Mostafa Ziko, meanwhile, has been given a five-match suspension after criticising the refereeing in Egypt’s 2026 World Cup round-of-16 defeat by Argentina, the Egyptian Football Association announced on Monday 19 October.
The sanctions follow statements made after Egypt’s 3-2 defeat in Atlanta, when the Pharaohs had been leading 2-0. Hossam Hassan attributed the elimination to refereeing errors, while Mostafa Ziko, who had scored for Egypt, directly criticised the referee, according to the Egyptian Football Association.
The Egyptian Football Association has asked FIFA’s disciplinary committee for the detailed reasons for the decisions before deciding whether to pursue any appeals. If the suspensions are confirmed, the Hassan brothers could miss Egypt’s next two matches against Malawi in November, in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as well as the first match of the March international window. Mostafa Ziko would be unavailable for the national team until June.
The dispute notably stems from a Ziko goal being disallowed for a foul at the start of the move and from a penalty claimed by Egypt at 2-2, before Argentina’s winning goal. The round-of-16 match was played on 7 July, and Ziko challenged the refereeing the day after the game.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
