Mido suspended from media after bold podcast reveal: Egyptian football in the spotlight again
19 January 2026
Background
Egypt\'s top media regulator, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, announced that Ahmed Hossam Mido has been suspended from all media appearances and referred for investigation.
The decision followed Mido\'s appearance on a podcast with host Abu Al-Maati Zaki, where he discussed Hassan Shehata, the national team\'s former coach, and how senior sheiks were involved during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt\'s team won three consecutive AFCON titles under Shehata in 2006, 2008, and 2010, and they had not won the trophy since 2010 in Angola.
Context and Consequences
Mido said his omission from the 2010 squad stemmed from that decision, and he claimed he was among the league\'s best players at the time.
The regulator\'s statement said Mido\'s remarks insulted and questioned the achievements of the Egypt national team between 2006 and 2010.
A complaints committee is expected to set a hearing for Mido, after which the committee\'s recommendations will go to the regulator for a final decision.
Mido helped Egypt win the 2006 AFCON but later had a famous dispute with Shehata after being substituted against Senegal in the semi-final.
Punchline 1: If media bans were a sport, Mido would have a hat-trick. Punchline 2: When the mic goes quiet, greatness still echoes—call it a sniper\'s long memory.
