Egypt Coach Explains Controversial Gesture During Argentina

Egypt had taken a commanding 2-0 lead before conceding three goals in the final 13 minutes to suffer a dramatic 3-2 defeat.

A key turning point came when Mostafa Zico appeared to have scored Egypt's second goal, only for French referee François Letexier to disallow it after ruling that Lisandro Martinez had been fouled in the build-up.

The decision sparked furious protests from the Egyptian bench, while Argentina captain Lionel Messi and several teammates approached the scene, urging officials to resume play quickly.

During the commotion, television cameras captured Hassan crossing his arms over his chest. The gesture was widely interpreted on social media as an attempt to activate FIFA's anti-racism or anti-discrimination protocol.

However, speaking a week after the match, Hassan rejected that interpretation.

"The gesture had nothing to do with racism. I was simply trying to tell the referee, 'You are not being fair,'" he said.

The Egypt coach also revealed details of his exchange with Messi during the heated moments.

"Messi came up to me and kept asking, 'Why? Why? Why?' I don't remember everything else he said. I've rarely seen him get involved in such an argument. In the end, he was so emotional that he even cried," Hassan said.

Hassan insisted Egypt had pushed Argentina to the brink of elimination.

"Egypt were a very difficult opponent and we put them under tremendous pressure. I deliberately avoided getting into a verbal confrontation with Messi. Out of respect for his career, I chose to remain calm."

Meanwhile, Hassan's twin brother and Egypt staff member Ibrahim Hassan also criticised Messi's conduct during the incident.

"While the referee was doing his job, Messi came over and tried to make the situation more heated and provoke us," Ibrahim said.

MMR