Coach

  Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has alleged that FIFA and the match officials showed favouritism towards defending champions Argentina following his team’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead on Tuesday as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, who created one goal and scored the equaliser before Enzo Fernández netted a stoppage-time winner. The Egyptians were left frustrated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR review, while officials declined to review an incident in which they believed Mohamed Salah was fouled by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. 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. In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level,” he said. 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. The coach further criticised the officiating, insisting Egypt had been denied a penalty and unfairly had a second goal ruled out. “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. Hassan disclosed that he confronted Letexier after the final whistle. “What I told the referee was, ‘This is unfair.’ I said maybe he isWorld Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina carrying a scar or has something to hide. If somebody is trying to hide something, they often fail to hide it,” he added. Egypt forward, Mostafa Zico, also questioned the officiating after the defeat. “Hard luck. The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. 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. I don’t even know why the second goal was disallowed, but we must look for a solution,” he stated.