On Tuesday, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan voiced strong criticism of the refereeing following his team’s 3-2 loss to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 match held in Atlanta. Despite the defeat, Hassan insisted that Egypt deserved to win, highlighting what he described as an unjust outcome influenced by factors beyond the players’ performance.

Hassan emphasized that Egypt controlled much of the game, stating, “We played better with the ball. We outperformed the defending champions in every aspect.” However, he pointed to pressure allegedly exerted by the Argentine team on the referee, which he believes affected key decisions on the field.

Among his grievances, Hassan singled out the VAR system for failing to award Egypt a penalty and for disallowing a second Egyptian goal. He also criticized the midday kickoff time, suggesting that whoever scheduled the match “must be someone who has never played football.”

Closing his remarks, Hassan expressed pride in representing the Arab world but lamented the treatment his team received: “I am proud to be Arab, proud of the Arab world, but we did not get the respect we deserved.”

This controversy adds to ongoing debates about fairness and transparency in officiating at major international tournaments, underscoring the emotional stakes for teams and fans alike.