The national football team’s return from Russia opened up a fresh can of worms last night, with various constituents of the football community making calls and appearances on the airwaves to place blame, largely on the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), and apparently for over-inflating expectations.

The EFA was less concerned with preparing the team and more concerned with the rewards that come with being in the World Cup, sports critic Sherif Abdel Kader told Riham Ibrahim on Hona Al Asema. He accused the EFA of overselling the national team and tricking people into believing they had a fighting chance (watch, runtime: 27:37).

Give us a break: A parliamentary fact-finding committee will launch an investigation into the team’s performance to figure out exactly where they went wrong and who to blame, House Sports Committee member Farag Amer told Riham Ibrahim on Hona Al Asema. The EFA could face sanctions if the investigation point to graft or corruption, but poor performance is not enough to merit legal action, Amer said (watch, runtime: 6:23). Yahduth fi Misr’s Sherif Amer was also on the case (watch, runtime: 2:49).

The Sports Ministry would decide what measures to take, if any, spokesperson Mohamed Fawzy said, however, adding that the EFA is required to provide the ministry with a detailed report on the events of the World Cup (watch, runtime: 3:16).

Meanwhile, Al Hayah fi Misr’s Nahawand criticized football fans for insulting the national team on social media after their 2-1 loss against Saudi, (watch, runtime: 3:24).

Investigation at the 57357 children’s cancer hospital? The institution is currently the subject of an investigation into so-far thin allegations that donated funds may have been misappropriated, according to Hona Al Asema’s Ibrahim. A government committee is currently investigating the claim and should report on its findings in two weeks’ time, said Social Solidarity Ministry spokesperson Mohamed El Okaby (watch, runtime: 7:36). Masaa DMC’s Osama Kamal appeared dismissive of the allegations, which were levelled by a House representative, claiming there is no hard evidence behind them (watch, runtime: 4:13).

Keeping prices in check after the recent fuel price hikes may prove difficult. While the government is trying to keep a close eye on the market to make sure that wholesalers and retailers aren’t price gouging, it’s a monumental undertaking, according to DMC’s Kamal, who pointed out that market inspectors themselves need to be monitored closely (watch, runtime: 6:35).

Also on last night’s talk shows:

• A fund dedicated to the development of slum areas has expended over EGP 17 bn in financing since 2016, manager Khaled Seddik told Ibrahim on Hona Al Asema (watch, runtime: 23:07).
• Al Hayah fi Misr interviewed what it says is Egypt’s first Ironman Triathlon winner, 50-something Amany Helmy (watch, runtime: 20:15).
• Young inventors Bassem Fayez and Mahmoud Al Malki showcased their “fighter robot” and portable air conditioner on Al Hayah fi Misr (watch, runtime: 26:56).