BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Mohamed El-Shenawy, the goalkeeper of Al Ahly SC, has received a four-match suspension after confronting a referee during a league match against Ceramica Cleopatra FC.
The incident occurred after a 1-1 draw, when El-Shenawy—who was on the bench—reacted angrily to a late decision not to award Al Ahly a penalty for a suspected handball in stoppage time. In his protest, he made physical contact with the referee.
The Egyptian Pro League confirmed the punishment, stating that the 37-year-old would serve a four-game ban and pay a fine of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (£700) for inappropriate conduct toward a match official.
El-Shenawy, Egypt’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, is still expected to be considered for the national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup in North America.
His suspension means he will miss most of the Championship round of the league play-offs, returning only in the final week. Meanwhile, defending champions Al Ahly sit third in the standings with 41 points, trailing leaders Zamalek SC by five points.
