Egypt Want Refereeing Team Removed After Argentina World Cup Defeat

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has called on FIFA to remove the officials who oversaw Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup last 16, accusing the refereeing team of costly errors and demanding a formal investigation.

The complaint follows a controversial game in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7, where Egypt believed a series of key decisions denied them a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Egypt looked to have strengthened its grip on the match when Mostafa Zico found the net in the second half with its side leading 1-0.

However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out because midfielder Marwan Attia was judged to have stepped on Lisandro Martinez’s foot earlier in the move.

The Pharaohs were left even more frustrated moments before Argentina’s stoppage-time winner.

Egypt appealed for a penalty after Mohamed Salah appeared to be fouled inside the box, but play continued and Argentina launched the attack that sealed a 3-2 comeback win.

In a strongly worded statement, the EFA said: “Hany Abou Rida, president of the Egyptian football federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egyptian team to lose the match and leave the World Cup.”

The federation also urged FIFA to investigate both the match officials and the VAR team, alleging “blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage”.

It further “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes” and alleged “the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.

Argentina overturned the deficit through an inspired spell from captain Lionel Messi, who created the equaliser before scoring himself as the defending champions booked a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland.

Naija News reports that Egypt manager Hossam Hassan questioned the officiating after the match, suggesting the decisions favoured the reigning champions.

FIFA had not responded publicly to the complaint at the time of writing. Meanwhile, Argentina will face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.