Egypt Dismisses Coach Hossam Hassan Following Controversy Over Former Spouse

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has removed Hossam Hassan from his position as national team coach along with his coaching staff, citing worries about the squad's reputation and steadiness after a controversy surrounding his personal life. Ali Maher, currently in charge of the Egyptian club Ceramica Cleopatra, will take over the role. In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFA said it had examined recent developments and the way they had affected the team's standing, describing a detrimental effect on its public image and stability. The association added that preserving the team's stability was its foremost concern. The move came three days after Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation barred Hassan from appearing on media outlets in connection with a case involving his former wife, Dina Mostafa, who is widely known as Dan Adam. According to local media accounts, lawyers acting for Hassan lodged a complaint accusing her of falsifying official documents and entering into a polygamous marriage. Representatives for her rejected those claims. Hassan had also drawn criticism for his choices during matches. In September, he withdrew Mohamed Salah in the 60th minute of a goalless home draw against Angola in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, after which Salah departed the national team camp. The EFA explained that the Trabzonspor forward would be absent for the qualifier against South Sudan because he does not play on artificial turf. Egypt went on to win that fixture 5-0. Mido, a former Egypt forward, said in September that the situation had slipped beyond control and called on officials to step in. Hassan, himself a former Egypt striker, was appointed in March 2024. He guided the side to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, the country's strongest showing at the competition, and to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt finished fourth. FIFA imposed a three-match suspension on Hassan after he criticised the referee following Egypt's World Cup knockout loss to Argentina. He departs the national team having recorded 21 victories, 10 draws and seven defeats across 38 matches. Maher, 52, assumes the role before Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi on November 13 and 17.