Egypt's top media regulator has taken a significant step in its response to a public dispute between Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the national soccer team, and his former wife. The regulator has barred Hassan from appearing in any media outlet, effective immediately. This decision is part of a broader effort to protect citizens' privacy, according to the regulator.
The ban, which covers all media outlets subject to the Press and Media Regulation Law, No. 180 of 2018, was announced on November 4, 2026. The regulator cited "violations of the rules for respecting private life" as the reason for the ban. This move is not an isolated incident, as the regulator has also summoned legal representatives of several news websites to hearings over alleged breaches of privacy rules.
The dispute between Hassan and his former wife, Dan Adam, has been ongoing, with the regulator previously barring Adam from appearing in the media. In October, the regulator ordered outlets to keep her off their platforms indefinitely and barred coverage of Hassan's personal life. The regulator has warned that it will take legal action if its decision is violated or if outlets continue to publish or circulate news about the matters covered in the statement.
Hassan, 60, is preparing Egypt for a pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi on November 13 and 17. However, he will not be on the touchline for either match due to the ban. This is not the first time Hassan has faced disciplinary action, as FIFA suspended him for three matches in October for criticizing the officiating in Egypt's 3-2 loss to Argentina in the World Cup.
The ban on Hassan is part of a larger pattern of tougher regulation of sports media in Egypt. According to a review by the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, bans on appearances, broadcast suspensions, and license revocations have become common since 2018. The review also found that bans can extend to a person's personal social media accounts.
The regulator's decision has significant implications for Hassan and the Egyptian soccer team. The team's preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will have to be done without Hassan's direct involvement in the media. The ban also raises questions about the regulator's role in protecting citizens' privacy and the limits of free speech in Egypt.
The Egyptian Football Association received a letter from the regulator in September, asking it to take action regarding Hassan. The association's response to the regulator's decision and its impact on the team's performance in the upcoming qualifiers remains to be seen. The regulator's actions have sparked concerns about the increasing restrictions on media freedom in Egypt.
Key points
- Egypt's media regulator bars Hossam Hassan from appearing in any media outlet, citing privacy violations.
- The ban is part of a larger pattern of tougher regulation of sports media in Egypt.
- Hassan will not be on the touchline for Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi.
