The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has filed a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging serious misconduct by Egyptian supporters—including the use of laser pointers and the disrespect of its national anthem—during a recent World Cup qualifying match, which it claims compromised the integrity of the game.
The official protest, dated September 6, 2025, and signed by EFF Chief Executive Officer Bahiru Tilahun, centers on the highly charged Group A fixture between Egypt and Ethiopia. The EFF contends that the actions of the crowd created an unfair and unsafe environment for its players.
The complaint outlines two primary grievances. The first and most severe allegation is the “targeted use of laser pointers” by spectators, which was directed at Ethiopian players during critical moments of the match.
“The behaviour significantly disrupted their concentration and performance, thereby compromising the fairness and integrity of the match,” the EFF stated in its letter, citing a specific incident where the Ethiopian goalkeeper was targeted during two pivotal penalty kicks.
The federation asserts that this constitutes a clear breach of the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations, which explicitly prohibit laser devices in stadiums. Furthermore, it points to Article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which holds member associations “strictly liable” for the inappropriate behaviour of their supporters, including the use of such electronic devices.
The second major allegation involves the pre-match ceremony. The EFF claims that the playing of the Ethiopian national anthem was “disrupted with whistles, jeers, and other forms of audible disrespect” by fans in the stadium. This, the complaint argues, is a direct violation of Article 16 of the Disciplinary Code, which categorizes disrespecting national anthems as misconduct.
In its submission, the EFF called the behaviour a contradiction of “FIFA’s values of respect, fair play, and mutual dignity among national teams.” The Federation also called the governing body to hold the Egyptian Football Association accountable for the supporters’ misconduct.
