Egypt's Federation Files Formal Complaint with FIFA After World Cup Exit Against Argentina

Background: What Happened?

Federation president Hany Abo Rida sent a written letter to FIFA in which he accused the official of "serious errors" and a refusal to review certain video sequences. In addition to "flagrant errors," Abo Rida also cited "obvious double standards" as a reason for the complaint. The federation is demanding an investigation into the incidents as well as the removal of the entire referee team from the World Cup.

At the center of Egyptian criticism is an incident in stoppage time immediately before Argentina's winning goal: Alexis Mac Allister is alleged to have pulled the jersey of Egyptian player Hamdi Fathy as he was entering the penalty area. The Egyptians see this as a clear foul and therefore a penalty that was not even reviewed by VAR. "A penalty for us was not even checked by VAR," fumed coach Hossam Hassan.

Dispute Over the Foul on Fathy

Former German referee Patrick Ittrich, who works as a rules expert for MagentaTV, supported the Egyptian view at least in part: "You can see how the jersey is pulled," he said in his analysis. His conclusion was clear: "All controversial decisions were made against Egypt." For him, the incident is a "penalty kick." However, Ittrich conceded: "The negative emotions are understandable," while at the same time stressing: "The processes as they ran, with the video assistant, were correct."

Former Bundesliga referee Lutz Wagner, now responsible for referee training at the DFB, also assessed Mac Allister's offense on ARD as "very un-clever behavior": "Argentina was very lucky there." Wagner assumes that VAR informed referee Letexier that the jersey-holding "was not enough" to intervene. BBC rules expert Dale Johnson sees it differently: the decision does not fit "the tournament line so far" – anyone who lets such scenes go on the field must handle them the same way with VAR.

Support from Germany

In addition to the controversial jersey incident, coach Hassan also complained about the disallowing of a goal by Mostafa Ziko in the 58th minute – coach and players spoke of a decision "for whatever reasons." Ziko himself raged: "The trophy is being handed to Argentina." Hassan added immediately after the final whistle: "This was a manipulated game, and the whole world saw it."

Hassan, the former Egyptian national striker, spared no one after the defeat. On BeIN Sports, he said: "Maybe they wanted Messi to stay in the running," and accused the Argentines of having "exerted pressure on the referee." He also announced a personal World Cup boycott: "As soon as I'm back, I will no longer follow the games of this FIFA World Cup." Asked about the midday kickoff time of 12 noon, the 59-year-old said: "Anyone who schedules a game for 12 noon has never played football themselves. Are the players supposed to eat lunch at 7:30 in the morning?"

The Egyptian criticism joins a series of complaints at this World Cup. Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz had already complained after the 0-0 against England: "Once again VAR was drinking coffee." England's head coach Thomas Tuchel judged harshly after the 3-2 in the Round of 16 against Mexico: "The referees are simply not good enough." Ittrich drew an even more far-reaching conclusion: "That was the worst performance at this World Cup."

Hassan's Angry Speech: Kickoff Time and Messi Accusation

Particular attention was drawn to the statement by former referee Thorsten Kinhöfer on ZDF: "If you are nominated as a referee at such a big tournament, then of course you do what the boss says." This remark was interpreted as indirect criticism of referee chief Pierluigi Collina, who is said to have set a particularly referee-friendly line at this tournament. Collina himself subscribes to the philosophy that the players should decide the game, not the officials.

The Egyptian criticism is reminiscent of that of Louis van Gaal after the Netherlands' quarterfinal exit against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, who later spoke of a "prearranged game." However, Elftal captain Virgil van Dijk disagreed with his former national team coach and was of a "different opinion." On social networks, under the hashtag #EgyptForgotten, videos once again circulated that Egyptian fans had collected as evidence of disadvantage.

The dispute comes at a time when FIFA is already under suspicion of manipulation: following a phone call from US President Donald Trump, a red card against US striker Folarin Balogun was suspended on probation without justification. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also drew attention for himself with a grinning selfie holding an Egyptian flag during the Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia – an appearance that was perceived as inappropriate in Egyptian media.

Reactions from Social Media

Former German national goalkeeper Oliver Kahn reacted on X with biting irony to the Balogun ruling and suggested that the yellow card against Michael Ballack in the 2002 World Cup semifinal – which cost him the final – should also be annulled and the final against Brazil replayed immediately. His post was understood as a sideswipe at FIFA's interpretation of the rules of the game.

Ittrich pointed out that the referees themselves are not allowed to speak publicly during an ongoing tournament – explanations for their decisions only come afterward. This practice makes it particularly difficult for those immediately affected to interpret the events of the game. Hassan had already formulated this pointedly on Wednesday evening: "I will say what I think – no matter what consequences that has."

Balogun Affair and FIFA Under Pressure

In the end, from Egypt's perspective, the main accusation remains that FIFA applies double standards. Abo Rida formulated it in his letter as follows: the referee had "applied double standards, which led to the Egyptian team losing the match and being eliminated." Whether FIFA will formally uphold the complaint remains open; similar protests from other federations have mostly been rejected in the past.

With the filing of the complaint, the sporting competition is over for Egypt, but the public debate about the officiating at this World Cup is likely to really get going. The further tournament events, including Argentina's quarterfinal against Switzerland in Kansas City, will also be accompanied by reactions to the Egyptian allegations.

Outlook: What Happens Next?

Bild-Zeitung and the tabloids had already written immediately after the game under the headline "Damages Credibility" about a "suspicion of fraud." The mood among Egyptian supporters in the stands was heated, and videos allegedly showing evidence of wrong decisions circulated on social media. An official statement from FIFA on the specific Egyptian allegations was initially not available.