FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against three members of Egypt's national football team, including head coach Hossam Hassan, team director Ibrahim Hassan, and forward Mostafa Zico. The actions stem from comments related to Egypt's match against Argentina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Allegations of Favouritism and Non-Sporting Messages

The proceedings are focused on allegations of favouritism towards Argentina and unfair officiating during the match, as well as messages expressing support for Palestine from the Hassan twins. Official correspondence from FIFA, obtained by Al Bayan, outlines these issues in relation to the match that took place on July 7, 2026.

Details on Hossam Hassan's Statements

According to an investigative report submitted to FIFA's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, Hossam Hassan made statements before and after the match that raised disciplinary concerns. His pre-match comments included a declaration of support for Palestine, which FIFA deemed a non-sporting message. Following the match, Hassan alleged that Argentina had received preferential treatment, attributing this to factors such as marketing interests, their status as defending champions, and the presence of star player Lionel Messi. He expressed that Egypt had faced "grave injustice" and declared his intention to stop watching the tournament due to perceived unfairness.

Hassan criticized the match outcome as inconsistent with the principles of fair play that FIFA promotes, claiming that external influences had affected the result. FIFA's disciplinary actions reference multiple articles from its Disciplinary Code, including those addressing offensive behavior, fair play violations, and conduct that brings disrepute to football and FIFA.

Ibrahim Hassan's Separate Case

In addition to Hossam Hassan, FIFA has opened a separate case against Ibrahim Hassan for comments made after the match, where he suggested that the result had been predetermined. These allegations further contribute to the ongoing scrutiny of the Egyptian team's conduct during the World Cup.

As the disciplinary proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the implications of these statements and the adherence to FIFA's standards of conduct and fair play.