By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy has been handed a four-match ban after striking a referee on the head in the fallout of a contentious penalty call following a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Pro League.
The Egyptian Pro League has slapped the 37-year-old, with a suspension as well as a fine.
“A four-match ban and fine of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (£700) for assaulting the referee by pushing or pulling [use of the hand without violence],” said a league statement.
El-Shenawy was Egypt’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to be in his country’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in north America.
He will now be sidelined until the final week of the league play-offs, when the competition’s top seven teams face each other in a Championship round.
Defending champions Al-Ahly are third after one match in the play-offs on 41 points, five points behind leaders Zamalek in the Egyptian Pro League.