Egypt fury after Argentina comeback as Hossam Hassan and Ziko allege bias | OneFootball

Egypt exited the World Cup in the last 16 after Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit inside the final quarter-hour, prompting fury from Hossam Hassan’s side.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Lionel Messi inspired the fightback and Egypt’s players and staff confronted referee François Letexier at full time.

The winner, scored by Enzo Fernández, followed a possible foul on Salah that was not checked by VAR, a decision Hassan lamented as unjust.

Earlier, VAR had intervened to rule out a Mostafa Ziko strike after a brilliant run by Haissem Hassan, penalising an accidental stamp by Attia on Lisandro Martínez.

Hassan insisted Egypt had been the better team and speculated that keeping the world champions and Messi in the tournament could suit marketing interests, adding he sensed Letexier might have been hiding something in their post-match exchange.

Ziko delivered even stronger criticism, alleging the referee had been against Egypt from the start, apologising to supporters and claiming the tournament was fixed from the outset.

The Egyptian federation’s president, Hany Abo Rida, has filed an official complaint against Letexier and his team, seeking explanations, an investigation into the key decisions, and the removal of the French officials from the rest of the tournament.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo