Egypt files complaint with FIFA over refereeing in World Cup loss

Kathmandu— Following the World Cup Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has lodged a complaint with FIFA. The complaint demands that the referee and the VAR team from the Round of 16 match be barred from officiating future games and calls for an investigation.

‘The Pharaohs’, or Egypt, were advancing towards the quarterfinals. However, conceding three goals in the final moments led to a painful exit from the tournament. Egypt is struggling to come to terms with this bitter setback.

The president of the Egyptian Football Association has announced the filing of a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the ‘suspicious and biased errors’ made by the main referee and the video assistant referee team. Meanwhile, the team’s coach, expressing his anger, has declared he will never watch the World Cup again.

Hany Abu Rida, the president of the Egyptian Football Association, announced on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning) that a complaint would be filed with FIFA, seeking an investigation against French referee François Letexier. This referee officiated the thrilling Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina, where Egypt lost 3-2.

During the match, the referee controversially disallowed a goal by Egypt. According to Abu Rida, the complaint was filed because ‘the suspicious errors and double standards by the match officials led to Egypt’s defeat and exit from the World Cup’. He has demanded an investigation into the entire team of referees, including the VAR officials.

‘I will never watch the World Cup again’

‘The referees made many small mistakes and refused to review certain incidents in favor of Egypt through VAR. We firmly believe that the goal by the Pharaohs (Egypt) was completely valid, and we should have been awarded a penalty as well,’ said the football association president. Abu Rida has also demanded the immediate removal of the main referee and his team from officiating the remaining World Cup matches.

Immediately after the match, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan, who got into an argument with spectators carrying Israeli flags, appeared visibly angry. Speaking to ‘beIN Sports’ after the match, he expressed his dissatisfaction in strong terms.

He said, ‘What is happening here is sheer injustice. Argentina’s victory is not justified in any way. Once I return to my country and home, I will never watch the World Cup again, because there is no such thing as justice in this tournament.’