Egyptian football legend Ahmed Hossam, widely known as Mido, has launched a scathing attack on the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), accusing the organization of corruption and mismanagement.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Zamalek striker voiced his frustration after Egypt’s U-20 national team crashed out of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a 1-0 loss to Morocco in the semifinals on Thursday.
In a series of posts on social media, Mido criticized the current state of football governance in Egypt, claiming that key positions are filled with unqualified individuals for political and personal gain.
“The football management system in Egypt appoints unqualified people to important positions, to control their decisions and to please… The result is a failed league that is getting worse, and weak national teams,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He went on to blast the coaching standards and accused political entities of manipulating fan support:
“There are coaches who have nothing to do with modern coaching, a largely charged public transported in buses belonging to political parties, and media figures who support certain players because they are the sons of important figures.
“Football in Egypt has nothing to do with international football, and what is interesting is that some media professionals and officials blame the public for not attending national team matches.”
According to Mido, the disconnect between Egyptian football and global standards is growing. He also took a swipe at officials who blame fans for low attendance at national team matches.
“The public has become aware and knows the extent of corruption and favouritism in Egyptian football. There is a new generation that is not interested in following the Egyptian league or its news, and does not know the names of most of the national team players,” he added.
Mido’s comments have sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits, once again putting the EFA under the spotlight amid growing calls for reform.
