World Cup: Egypt coach accuses FIFA, referee of favouring Argentina

Egypt's head coach, Hossam Hassan, has accused FIFA and match officials of favoring Argentina following his team's dramatic 3-2 defeat in the World Cup Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead as Argentina staged a comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, with Enzo Fernández scoring a late winner.

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We looked better than the reigning champions, better in everything, but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it. Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.

The Egyptians were left frustrated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR review. They also believed Mohamed Salah was fouled in the build-up to Argentina's winning goal, but officials declined to review the incident.

Speaking after the match, Hassan alleged that external influences affected the outcome. "We looked better than the reigning champions, better in everything, but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it. Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," he said.

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There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered.

Hassan also questioned the appointment of French referee François Letexier, claiming Egypt had raised concerns before the match. "There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered," he added.

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We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. I want to put it in beautiful words and say, ‘Hard luck,’ but we have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice.

The coach further criticized the officiating, insisting Egypt had been denied a penalty and unfairly had a second goal disallowed. "We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. I want to put it in beautiful words and say, ‘Hard luck,’ but we have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice," he said. Egypt forward Mostafa Zico also questioned the officiating, stating, "Strange things happened on the pitch. We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us."

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Strange things happened on the pitch. We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us.