FIFA has handed down suspensions to Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Zico following critical remarks about the referee after their 3-2 World Cup defeat to Argentina.
Hossam Hassan, 60, received a three-match ban after pointing to refereeing mistakes as the reason for Egypt’s elimination in the last 16. Zico, who insulted the referee in a post-match interview, was given a five-match suspension. Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin brother and national team director, has also been suspended for three matches.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) released a statement on Monday confirming the suspensions and requesting the detailed reasoning from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee to assess potential appeal options.
The fallout comes after Zico had a goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up, and Egypt’s players had a penalty appeal rejected late in the match—controversial moments that heightened emotions after their tournament exit. FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officiating, warning that public criticism could expose referees and their families to threats.
As a result, Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan are set to miss Egypt’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi in November, in addition to the first match of the March international window. Zico will be sidelined until at least June.
