Egypt accused Fifa of rigging the World Cup in Argentina’s favour after Lionel Messi inspired the holders to a stunning 3-2 comeback in the last 16.
Coach Hossam Hassan said his nation had been the victims of an “injustice”, while striker Mostafa Zico claimed the competition had been “fixed”.
Egypt’s fury centred around two incidents: first a goal they had disallowed owing to a foul in the build-up, then a goal scored by Argentina despite a similar foul.
With the score at 1-0 to Egypt, Zico thought he had doubled the lead with one of the goals of the tournament. He finished off a fine flowing move, following a pass from Mohamed Salah. However, celebrations were cut short when the VAR ruled that there had been a foul 17 seconds before the ball went in the net. The officials ruled that Marwan Attia had stepped on Lisandro Martínez at the opposite end of the pitch. Replays showed contact was minimal.
At the start of the World Cup, referees were told to allow normal football contact to increase tempo in matches.
Coach Hossam Hassan said his nation had been the victims of an “injustice”, while striker Mostafa Zico claimed the competition had been “fixed”.
Egypt’s fury centred around two incidents: first a goal they had disallowed owing to a foul in the build-up, then a goal scored by Argentina despite a similar foul.
With the score at 1-0 to Egypt, Zico thought he had doubled the lead with one of the goals of the tournament. He finished off a fine flowing move, following a pass from Mohamed Salah. However, celebrations were cut short when the VAR ruled that there had been a foul 17 seconds before the ball went in the net. The officials ruled that Marwan Attia had stepped on Lisandro Martínez at the opposite end of the pitch. Replays showed contact was minimal.
At the start of the World Cup, referees were told to allow normal football contact to increase tempo in matches.
4 months ago
