FIFA Bans Egypt Coach and Striker After Argentina Defeat

(Hossam Hassan. Photo by The Guardian)
FIFA has banned Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for three matches.

Forward Mostafa Zico got five games.

Ibrahim Hassan, the team director and Hossam's twin brother, also received a three match ban.

Hossam was punished for blaming referee mistakes for Egypt going out in the last 16.

Zico was punished for insulting the referee in a post match interview.

The row started during Egypt's 3-2 loss to Argentina.

Zico had a goal ruled out for a foul.

Later, with the score at 2-2, Egypt wanted a penalty and did not get one.

FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officials.

He warned that attacks on referees can put them and their families at risk.

The bans could keep all three men out of Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi in November.

Zico could miss games until June.

The Egyptian Football Association has asked FIFA for the full reasons so it can decide whether to appeal.