Egypt coach explains controversial gesture against Argentina

Egypt's national football coach Hossam Hassan has broken his silence on a controversial gesture he made during the World Cup 2026 match against Argentina. Hassan explained that his on-field action, where he crossed his arms in an 'X' shape while protesting to French referee François Letexier, was a legitimate recourse within FIFA regulations.

Speaking on the Egyptian channel ON, Hassan revealed his frustration stemmed from a series of perceived refereeing errors that he felt disadvantaged his team. He specifically mentioned a missed penalty call for Egypt and a goal conceded shortly after, which he believes altered the game's outcome. "One can accept refereeing errors, cards, or some decisions, but I had already endured too much," Hassan stated, emphasizing his deep dissatisfaction.

Hassan also recounted a brief exchange with the referee before being cautioned. When asked by Letexier if he was Egyptian and why he made the gesture, Hassan replied, "Because you are not being fair. There were two penalties for us and I consider that you are not being fair." The coach, with 18 years of experience, noted that the referee issued a yellow card without further discussion.

The gesture itself is part of FIFA's anti-discrimination protocol, intended for players, coaches, or referees to flag potential racism or discrimination and trigger a specific procedure. However, Hassan clarified that his use of the gesture was a protest against officiating, not a claim of discrimination. Following the match, the president of the Egyptian Football Association reportedly requested the exclusion of the French officiating team from the remainder of the World Cup due to the controversial decisions.