Egypt sack coach Hassan over scandals

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has sacked national team head coach Hossam Hassan following a series of controversies that it said damaged the image and stability of the Pharaohs.

The decision was announced on Saturday night after a meeting of the federation’s board of directors, which reviewed the events surrounding the 60-year-old coach in recent weeks.

In a statement on its website, the EFA said Hassan and his technical and administrative staff had been relieved of their duties in accordance with the terms of their contracts.

The federation cited the negative impact of the controversies on the national team’s image and stability as reasons for the decision.

“In light of the meeting of the Federation’s Board of Directors, which began this morning and is still in session, and after studying all the circumstances and events that took place during the past period, and the resulting repercussions and negative impact on the positive image of our national team and its stability, the Board of Directors decided, within the framework of its responsibility, to thank coach Hossam Hassan and his technical and administrative staff based on the terms of the contract,” the statement said.

The EFA also expressed appreciation for Hassan’s contributions during his tenure and wished him success in his future career.

The coach’s dismissal followed a turbulent period involving reported marital controversies, a media ban reportedly imposed earlier in the month and a three-match FIFA suspension confirmed in late October.

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The federation subsequently announced former Pyramids FC coach Ali Maher as the new head coach and technical director of the national team.

Maher was also directed to present his technical vision and proposed staffing arrangements for the team.

The EFA called on Egyptian football fans to continue supporting the national team as it prepares for upcoming matches and competitions.