Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan made the comments after the “X” during his team’s 3-2 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 loss against Argentina sparked controversy. The moment, aimed at referee François Letexier during the stoppage time, quickly became apparent because it coincided with UEFA’s anti-discrimination policy used by players and staff to report racist abuse. With huge controversies following the chaotic finish and several controversial decisions, the action became one of the most talked about events of the game, raising questions about its meaning and purpose.
Hassan said the actions were directed at the player, not about racism
The spotlight came at the end of Egypt’s defeat in the Round of 16 after Argentina came from two goals down.With emotions running high, television cameras caught Hassan crossing his arms into an “X” as he directed his frustration at referee François Letexier. His twin brother and assistant coach, Ibrahim Hassan, had his hands down immediately before the Egyptian manager received a yellow card.Because the feature has been used at sporting events to report alleged racial abuse, including during Benfica’s Champions League match with Real Madrid earlier this year, it has led to questions about its meaning.Speaking after the race, however, Hassan strongly rejected that interpretation.“That was not discrimination,” said Hassan, as if by The Sun.“I was saying [the referee]’You’re not being fair’.”
Hassan reveals an exchange with Lionel Messi
Hassan also reflected on his experience with Lionel Messi in the final moments of the game.According to the Egyptian coach, Messi asked him after the incident when tensions were rising during the match.“[Messi] he came to me and said, Why? Why? Why?’ And I don’t know anything else,” said Hassan.“It was one of the few times that Messi got into a fight during the game. And at the end he cried because he was suffering from depression.“We were a very strong team and we put them in a difficult position. I tried not to answer him and to avoid any verbal conflict between us, out of respect for his work.”The highly emotional contest saw Argentina overturn a 2-0 deficit through goals from Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández in a tense 13-minute spell to reach the quarter-finals.
Egypt continued to participate in the game
Although he explained the meaning of his gestures, Hassan did not soften his criticism of the supervisor.Egypt are believed to have been denied several key decisions in the game, including the disallowance of Mostafa Ziko’s goal and what they consider to have been unpunished. Mohamed Salah in preparation for Enzo Fernández’s greatest success.Immediately after the defeat, Hassan said that external pressure had affected the authorities.“We didn’t see respect or fair play,” he said.“It seems that the Argentinian side has been putting pressure on the referee which has brought this.“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. Okay, but why is there no fairness in sports?”“I am not satisfied with what happened and the way things were done in the game.“The judge is unjust, God is sufficient for me and keeps things well.”“They are ruining the efforts of the whole nation. The competition is headed for Argentina.”The Egyptian Football Association later issued its own strong statement, calling on FIFA to investigate what it said were “clear violations” by the governing body and asking that referee Letexier and his team be removed from the remainder of the tournament.
FIFA responded that the uncertainty of punishment remains
The allegations led to a response from FIFA through Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, who defended the integrity of the officials and rejected suggestions that Argentina had received help.Although Hassan has not yet been disciplined for his actions during the game or his post-game comments, the matter is far from over.According to that The Athletic, FIFA intends to review potential cases after the end of the World Cup, following the same approach it took after the 2022 tournament.Hassan and Egypt’s Mostafa Ziko are among those who could still face sanctions for comments that have brought the game into disrepute, while others, including Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji and England manager Thomas Tuchel, have also publicly criticized refereeing in the tournament.Hassan’s latest explanation, however, removes one side of the controversy. As Egypt continues to argue against the referees who accompanied their tragic dismissal, the former coach insists that what sparked the international debate was not intended as an accusation of racism but a criticism that he believed was wrong with the judge.
