Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has declared he will not watch another minute of the World Cup, claiming his team 'suffered an injustice' in their match against Argentina. The incident occurred during a World Cup qualifier where Lionel Messi inspired a comeback from two goals down, leading to a 3-2 victory for Argentina.
Hassan's reaction to the match
In a post-match interview, Hassan expressed his frustration: 'We were wronged. I will not watch the World Cup again after what happened. My players gave everything, but the decisions went against us.' He did not specify which decisions he believed were unfair, but sources suggest he was referring to a controversial penalty awarded to Argentina.
Match details
The match saw Egypt take a 2-0 lead early in the first half, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet. However, Argentina responded with three goals, including two from Messi and one from Lautaro Martinez. The turning point was a penalty given to Argentina after a VAR review, which Hassan argued was incorrect.
Impact on Egypt's World Cup hopes
The defeat leaves Egypt's qualification for the 2026 World Cup in doubt. They currently sit third in their group, needing to win their remaining matches to have a chance of advancing. Hassan's boycott threat has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some supporting his stance and others urging him to focus on the team's performance.
Broader context
This is not the first time a manager has criticized officiating in a World Cup qualifier. Similar complaints have been made by coaches from other nations, highlighting the ongoing controversy over VAR and refereeing standards. FIFA has yet to comment on Hassan's remarks.
