Ammon News - FIFA has suspended Egypt 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 a 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the World Cup.

The 60-year-old Hassan was sanctioned after blaming refereeing errors for his ​country's elimination from the tournament 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 when ​the score was ​2-2.

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

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


Reuters