World Cup: Egypt Treated Unfairly During Match With Argentina, Says Coach Hassan

NEW YORK, July 8 (PA Media/dpa) -- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said his side had “been treated unfairly and it has been an injustice” after they let slip a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to reigning champions Argentina in their last-16 tie in Atlanta.

The Pharaohs had gone close to pulling off a huge upset as they led through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico with 11 minutes left, while Lionel Messi saw his first-half penalty saved.

But Cristian Romero’s header threw Argentina a lifeline and after Messi smashed in an 83rd-minute equaliser, Enzo Fernandez headed home in time added on to complete a remarkable fightback.

Egypt were left furious after an earlier second-half effort from Zico had been ruled out by VAR, while the officials refused to check a penalty claim after Mohamed Salah went down under Alexis Mac Allister’s challenge in the build-up to Fernandez’s winner.

Hassan told a post-match media conference, quoted by ESPN: “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. There seem to be pressures from the Argentina side on this outcome.”

Hassan was booked by French referee Francois Letexier for protesting after Argentina’s winner when he crossed his arms in front of him, which is the FIFA-backed symbol for players and coaches to alert the referee of a racist incident.

The Pharaohs boss did not refer to his gesture after the match, but added: “We haven’t seen respect or fair play.

“A penalty (for us) was ruled out, it was not even checked by the VAR and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed.

“We have all seen the shirt pulled back [by Mac Allister] and not even a VAR check. Life is unfair, normal life is unfair, so why is there no fairness in sports?

“I’m not convinced by this outcome and the way things unfolded in this match. I want to put it in beautiful words and say hard luck, but we have been treated unfairly and it has been an injustice.”

FIFA has been contacted for comment by the Press Association.

--NNN-dpa