Striker Ahmed Hossam "Mido" has been suspended for six month for his tantrum during Egypt's 2-1 win over Senegal in their African Cup of Nations semi-final match on Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said. "The EFA board convened and the decision to ban Mido for 6 months was unanimous," EFA vice-president Ahmed Shobeir told Filgoal.com on Wednesday. Mido was involved in a row with coach Hassan Shehata at the touchline after the latter substituted him in the 78th minute of the Senegal match with the score tied at 1-1. To make things worse for the Tottenham player, substitute Amr Zaki scored on his first touch of the ball after replacing Mido. Shobeir said that efforts to work out things between the player and his manager reached a dead end after Shehata refused to accept Mido's apology.
Egyptian fans were disappointed in Mido The EFA also took a decision to cancel the 22-year-old's winning bonus in case the Egyptian wins the African Cup, Shobeir added. The decision means Mido will now miss the African final against Ivory Coast at the Cairo International Stadium. Mido himself has not been officially notified of the suspension and has resumed his daily training program at the gym at the hotel where the Egyptian team is residing. Filgoal.com learnt that a number of players in the Egyptian squad have called for Mido to stay with the team until the end of the tournament even if the technical staff choose not to play him. Meanwhile, Shehata refused to comment on the incident or Mido's suspension, noting that the matter was in the hands of the EFA and that his main concern is Friday's match.