Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has claimed his team were “cheated” out of a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Argentina in a dramatic Round of 16 clash on Tuesday.
“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan said in an explosive press conference.
Egypt appeared to have extended their advantage while leading 1-0, but a goal by Mostafa Zico was disallowed after a VAR review identified an earlier foul on Lisandro Martinez during the build-up.
Zico, however, eventually found the net to double Egypt’s lead, putting the Pharaohs on the verge of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who had a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser with his eighth goal of the tournament.
The controversy did not end there, though, as in the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.
“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play,” Hassan said.
“A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the (shirt) being pulled back.”
Hassan said he would not watch any more matches of the tournament, such was the injustice he felt.
“I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup,” he added.
“This is my own way of speaking up.”
Hassan speculated that the officials had been put under pressure to keep one of the biggest names in the competition.
“Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running,” he told BeIn Sports.
“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.”
Hassan also complained about the scheduling of the match for a noon kick-off (1600GMT), just four days after both sides had won their round of 32 matches.
“Whoever schedules those matches has never played football. You never schedule a game for 12pm. At noon you go for a walk or to eat brunch, you do not go to play football.
“When are the players supposed to eat? At 7.30am?
“There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch.”
