27/08/2026
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27/08/2026
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ROME, Aug 27: The Egyptian Olympic Committee has suspended Ibrahim Al-Attar, head of the national wrestling delegation, and referred him to its Ethics Committee following the departure of a second Egyptian wrestler, Mohamed Mostafa Ali Al-Shami, during a stopover at Rome Airport.
The incident came just a day after Ziad Haggag became the first Egyptian wrestler to leave the delegation, in an earlier incident in Slovenia. Al-Shami’s departure therefore marks the second such case involving the Egyptian wrestling team. According to the committee’s media center, preliminary investigations found shortcomings and negligence in monitoring delegation members during the return journey. The findings prompted administrative action against Al-Attar and his referral for further investigation to determine the responsibilities of those involved under the regulations governing sports delegations.
The wrestling team had traveled from Taranto to Rome with all members present before stopping in the Italian capital to continue the journey to Cairo.
The delegation chief was reportedly responsible for keeping the passports of team members during the trip, but this procedure was not followed. The coaching staff subsequently noticed that Al-Shami was missing during the transit period.
The wrestler’s coach searched for him and attempted to catch up with him but was unsuccessful, forcing the coach to miss the return flight. Al-Shami did not return to the delegation.
The committee considers the wrestler’s departure an individual decision, while the circumstances surrounding supervision and the delegation’s administrative procedures remain under investigation.
The referral of Al-Attar to the Ethics Committee does not represent a final determination of responsibility. Further inquiries and hearings will be conducted before any final decisions are made in accordance with the applicable regulations.
