FIFA paves way for issuing sanctions; Egyptian Federation backs Hossam Hassan

The Egyptian Football Association announced on Thursday that it is monitoring the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) against Hossam Hassan, coach of the senior national team, his brother Ibrahim Hassan, the team’s manager, and striker Mustafa Abd al-Raouf (Zico), in the wake of their comments following Egypt’s match against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the association said: “The Egyptian Football Association reaffirms its respect for FIFA’s regulations and procedures, and will submit the necessary responses and legal memoranda within the specified deadlines, while confirming its support for and backing of those subject to the proceedings, and its commitment to defending the rights of Egyptian football through official channels.”

The Egyptian Football Association also emphasized in the same statement its respect for the principles of fair play and the organizing bodies, while reserving its full right to defend the interests of the technical staff and players before the relevant FIFA authorities.

Hassam, Egypt’s coach, issued sharp criticisms of FIFA following the 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 of the World Cup last month, accusing the governing body of “favoring the world champions for marketing reasons.”

FIFA opened a separate disciplinary file against Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt’s national team manager, due to statements he made after the match, in which he alleged that the outcome of the game had been predetermined, that Argentina’s victory was guaranteed, and that Egypt was unjustly denied a win.

FIFA also initiated separate disciplinary proceedings against Zico, after a report attributed to him comments accusing the match referee of lacking integrity, deliberately disallowing legitimate goals for the Egyptian national team, and manipulating the match result.