FIFA suspends Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for three matches after Argentina referee row

FIFA has suspended Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Zico for three and five matches respectively, the Egyptian Football Association said on Monday, after they criticised the referee following Egypt’s 3-2 World Cup defeat to Argentina.

The 60-year-old Hassan was sanctioned after blaming refereeing errors for Egypt’s elimination in the last 16, while Zico insulted the referee in a post-match interview. Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin brother and Egypt’s national team director, has also been suspended for three matches.

“The decisions include the suspension of Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan for three matches each, while Zico has been suspended for five matches,” the EFA said in a statement.

The EFA said it had requested the detailed grounds for the decision from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee in order to assess its legal options and determine whether to appeal.

Zico had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up before Egypt’s players appealed for a penalty near the end of the match when the score was 2-2.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officiating in the match, saying such allegations could provoke threats against referees and their families.

The suspensions rule Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan out of Egypt’s November Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Malawi, as well as the first match of the March international window. Zico will be unavailable until June.

Source: Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/fifa-suspends-coach-hassan-forward-zico-three-five-matches-2026-10-19/