FIFA slap hefty $2 million fine on Egypt for broadcasting Ghana clash

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @Akyereko

Egypt have been hit with a gargantuan $2 million by the world's football governing body - FIFA for telecasting October's World Cup qualifier away to Ghana without authorisation. 

The Egyptian Football Federation has confirmed the fine on Friday.

The decision was arrived by Fifa after Al Jazeera Sport - who were the sole right holders to telecast the game, lodged a complaint to the world's football regulatory body after the North African country showed the game to home fans.

Egypt’s state TV broadcast the match, which Ghana won 6-1 in Kumasi, on two local channels without prior announcement or approval from Al-Jazeera as tensions continued to rise between the Qatari-owned network and Egypt’s government.

The news comes as another blow to the Egyptians who failed to end their 23-year-old absence from a major FIFA event as Ghana thrashed them 7-3 in both legs to qualify for their third straight World Cup.

Egypt officials obviously wanted to show the game to home fans with hopes of reducing the political tension in the country during the time but they got even more disappointed as Ghana humiliated them leading to accusations and counter-accusations of poor preparations.

Muhamed Aboutreika has also retired from football after failing to help his country beat Ghana to the 2014 World Cup ticket.