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Breaking: CAF suspends two Egypt players after bribery allegations

16 January 2026

Breaking: CAF suspends two Egypt players after bribery allegations
Egyptian players Marwan Atiya and Salah Mohsen suspended ahead of AFCON third-place clash.

CAF suspends two Egypt players amid bribery allegations

The Confederation of African Football has suspended two Egypt national teammates, Marwan Atiya and Salah Mohsen, for two matches. Their absence will affect Egypt’s bid in the third-place playoff against Nigeria.

The decision follows referee comments during Egypt’s semi-final loss to Senegal, with officials alleging the players faced bribery accusations and hints of payments aimed at excluding Egypt from the tournament.

CAF has referred the incident to its Disciplinary Committee after video footage appeared to show the pair gesturing toward money, which investigators see as a sign of possible corruption.

Egypt will play the third-place match against Nigeria after a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Senegal, while Nigeria were eliminated by Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw.

Punchline 1: If money talks, these videos deserve subtitles in every language.

Punchline 2: In football, drama is a full-time job.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the players suspended?

Marwan Atiya and Salah Mohsen were suspended for two matches amid bribery allegations linked to a controversial incident in AFCON.

Which match are they missing?

They will miss the third-place playoff against Nigeria.

What sparked the disciplinary action?

Video footage showing the players gesturing toward money led CAF to refer the case to its Disciplinary Committee.

What happened in the semi-finals?

Egypt lost 1-0 to Senegal; Nigeria were eliminated by Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw.