The Egyptian Supreme Council for Media Regulation has decided to suspend former Egyptian star Ahmed Hossam Mido from appearing in the media and refer him for investigation.
The move follows remarks he made on a podcast with journalist Abu Al-Maati Zaki, where he spoke about former national team coach Hassan Shehata seeking help from religious sheikhs during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mido claimed that his exclusion from the 2010 AFCON squad came after a decision by “the sheikh” working with Shehata, stressing that at the time he considered himself the best player in the Egyptian league. Egypt had won three consecutive AFCON titles under Shehata in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and has not lifted the trophy since that triumph in Angola.
In its statement, the media council said Mido’s comments carried “insult and doubt” over the achievements of the Egypt national team between 2006 and 2010. The complaints committee will now set a hearing for Mido, after which it will submit recommendations to the council before a final decision is issued.
Mido was part of the 2006 AFCON-winning squad but famously clashed with Shehata after being substituted in the semi-final against Senegal, an incident that has long shaped public discussion about their relationship.
The latest controversy has revived debate in Egypt about the limits of media punditry when it touches historic national-team successes and respected figures in the game.
