ATLANTA : Egypt coach Hossam Hassan accused match officials of favouring Argentina and suggested “external factors” influenced his side’s 3-2 defeat in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday, allegations that could draw scrutiny from the sport’s governing body.
Argentina rallied from two goals down to secure a dramatic victory, with Lionel Messi playing a key role in the comeback before Enzo Fernandez scored the stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, Hassan said Egypt had outplayed Argentina but claimed refereeing decisions had 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,” Hassan told reporters.
“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.”
Hassan also criticised several decisions by the officiating team, including the non-award of a penalty that Egypt believed should have been given after an alleged foul on Mohamed Salah and the disallowing of one of Egypt’s goals following a VAR review.
“There seem to be pressures from the Argentina side on this outcome,” Hassan said.
“We have not 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.
“We have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice.”
Speaking to beIN Sports, Hassan said he confronted the referee after the match.
“I told the referee that what was happening wasn’t fair. It’s an undeserved victory for Argentina,” he said.
“Once I’m back in my country and at home, I’ll never watch the World Cup again, because there’s no justice in this competition.”
FIFA had not immediately responded to Hassan’s comments.
Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals, while Egypt were eliminated after surrendering a 2-0 lead.
