On 21 June 2025, in view of an investigation conducted by FIFA, disciplinary proceedings were opened against Mr. Mutaz Ibrahim (the Respondent) for potential breach of art. 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) in relation to an incident alleged to have occurred during a massage session on 16 June 2025. The Respondent was informed that in accordance with Article 36.1 FDC, the Secretariat of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (the Secretariat) would appoint a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to support the necessary investigations into potential breaches of the FIFA regulations. On the same day, the Chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (the Chairperson) issued the terms of the present decision, imposing a ninety (90) day suspension from all football-related activity on the Respondent pending the resolution of the disciplinary proceeding.
The Chairperson considered that the imposition of provisional measures on the Respondent would be justified for the following reasons:
- To ensure the proper administration of justice: Given the nature of the allegations and the procedural stage of the case, the Chairperson deemed it essential to avoid any risk of undue influence or obstruction of the ongoing disciplinary process by the Respondent. The temporary suspension of the Respondent is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting the integrity and effectiveness of the investigation process.
- To maintain sporting discipline: The alleged incident, if established, would constitute a serious breach art. 13 FDC and the standards expected of all match officials, who are entrusted with upholding fairness, respect, and safety within the sport. Harassment can create a hostile or intimidating environment, and runs counter to the values of respect, dignity, and professionalism that underpins FIFA’s regulatory framework. As such, suspending the Respondent from football-related activities during the investigation is necessary to safeguard the foundational principles of sporting discipline and ensure that competitions, including the FCWC, are conducted in an atmosphere free from misconduct or intimidation.
- To avoid irreparable harm: The Chairperson recognized that the Respondent’s continued presence in an official role could cause significant and lasting damage – not only to the alleged victim and to other female massage therapists participating in competitions, including the FCWC, who may feel unsafe – but also to the reputation of the sport and FIFA, including the integrity of its competition and the credibility of FIFA’s disciplinary system. Inappropriate or harassing conduct by a referee carries the risk of undermining public trust in the fairness and professionalism of competitions. Moreover, permitting the Respondent to continue officiating while the disciplinary proceeding is ongoing could undermine the confidence of stakeholders in the integrity of the disciplinary process and the effectiveness of existing safeguarding mechanisms.
- For reasons of safety and security: The Chairperson emphasized that a sporting environment must be free from harassment of any kind. Pending the outcome of the investigation, temporarily suspending the Respondent from all football-related activity is necessary to preserve a respectful and secure environment of the individuals who may interact with him and to prevent any escalation of tensions or confrontations within the football community.
Decision
The official, Mr. Mutaz Ibrahim, is provisionally suspended from taking part in any football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for a duration of ninety (90) days pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.
Source: FIFA
