Fifa suspends Egypt coach and forward after referee row

Fifa has suspended Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for three matches and forward Mostafa Zico for five after criticism of the referee following Egypt’s 3-2 World Cup defeat by Argentina. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced the sanctions on Monday.

Ibrahim Hassan, Hossam’s twin brother and Egypt’s national team director, has also received a three-match suspension. The result against Argentina eliminated Egypt in the round of 16.

Egypt seeks grounds for decision

Hossam Hassan blamed refereeing errors for the defeat, while Zico insulted the referee in a post-match interview. The EFA said it had asked Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee for the detailed grounds behind the decision before assessing its legal options and deciding whether to appeal.

“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.

Zico had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up, and 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. He said allegations of this kind could provoke threats against referees and their families.

Qualifying matches could be affected

The suspensions could keep Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan out of Egypt’s upcoming matches against Malawi in the next rounds of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in November. They could also miss the first match of the March international window.

Zico’s five-match suspension means he will be unavailable until June.