The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a financial penalty on the Egyptian national team for a breach of tournament regulations during the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Egypt Fined for Media Protocol Breach
CAF has fined the Egyptian Football Association $5,000 following an incident after their first Group D match against Zimbabwe on Monday, December 22. The sanction was announced just hours before Egypt's crucial second group game against South Africa's Bafana Bafana on Thursday, December 26.
The punishment stems from the team's failure to comply with mandatory media obligations. According to reports, players and coaching staff, including Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, did not stop to grant interviews in the designated mixed zone after their 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe.
Viral Video Captures the Snub
A viral video from the Adrar Stadium in Agadir showed Egyptian players walking past waiting journalists despite attempts to engage them. This action is considered a direct violation of CAF's competition rules, which require teams to make players available for post-match media interactions.
African football expert Micky Jnr confirmed the fine was specifically for the media regulation breach. The incident occurred despite Salah's dramatic 91st-minute winning goal, which secured three vital points for the Pharaohs in their quest for a record-extending eighth AFCON title.
Strict Warning Issued for Future Matches
Alongside the monetary fine, CAF issued a stern warning to the North African giants. The governing body made it clear that a repeat of the violation after their subsequent match against South Africa would result in more severe disciplinary action.
This sanction places additional pressure on the Egyptian squad at a critical juncture in the tournament. A victory over South Africa would secure their qualification for the knockout stages.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans
The news of the sanction sparked immediate reactions from football fans across social media platforms. Many considered the penalty lenient.
User @leraygunn commented, "$5,000 is a slap on the wrist." Another fan, @Jason_Sagini, questioned the protocol: "I thought the press conference is the one which is mandatory for all teams?"
Some responses took a more critical view of the Egyptian team's attitude. @Thato7Mk wrote, "The disrespect, Egypt thinks that they're Europeans and superior to other African nations." Another user, @ImMESHB, speculated, "Imagine refusing to speak to journalists after you won the match, what will happen after they lose to South Africa."
Other fans used the moment to criticize CAF for perceived inconsistencies. Users like @KeSeRomeo and @MwebembeziElly pointed out that the host nation, Morocco, had not been sanctioned for the use of laser pointers by fans during their opening game against Comoros, despite prior warnings from CAF.
Historical Challenge Against South Africa
The sanction adds another layer of intrigue to Egypt's upcoming fixture. Historically, South Africa has proven a difficult opponent for the Pharaohs. According to the BBC, Bafana Bafana are unbeaten in their last six encounters with Egypt, boasting four wins and two draws in that run.
Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan has already been in the headlines for strong comments about the South African team, adding further spice to the match. The team will now need to navigate both their on-field challenge and their off-field obligations to avoid further penalties from CAF.
