World Cup: Egypt coach's Palestinian flag stunt shows FIFA's hypocrisy, anti-Zionism

Egypt's national soccer coach Hossam Hassan has drawn criticism for his public displays of support for Palestine during the World Cup. After Egypt's victory over Australia on July 3, Hassan held a Palestinian flag and dedicated the win to Palestinians, stating, “My heart and soul are with them.” He later used a press conference following Egypt's elimination by Argentina to deliver a passionate four-and-a-half-minute speech about the suffering in Palestine.

“Today, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 of them were struck by a single missile and died, while we’re still here,” Hassan said. He described the dire conditions faced by Palestinians, including a lack of food and basic necessities, questioning the humanity of anyone unaware of the situation.

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My heart and soul are with them. May Allah grant them victory. May Allah have mercy on their martyrs.

The article, however, questions Hassan's sincerity, suggesting he may not care about victims of Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. It alleges he revealed his true feelings by yelling an obscenity and spitting when confronted with an Israeli flag. The author points to Egypt's own actions, including building a fortified wall along the Gaza border and expelling residents while destroying homes and farmland, as evidence of a complex relationship with Palestinians.

FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, is also criticized for hypocrisy. The article argues that FIFA, while claiming to be apolitical and disciplining political advocacy, grants an exception for Palestinian supporters. This, the author contends, inflames hostility toward Israel and its supporters.

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Today, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 of them were struck by a single missile and died, while we’re still here. It’s not hard to see that the children we see can’t even find food. They’re facing diseases and epidemics that can result from a lack of food, sleep, and basic necessities. So if I don’t feel compassion as a human being, then I have no reason to live – nor does any human being on the face of the earth who is unaware of what’s happening in Palestine.