Egypt Files Complaint With FIFA, Demands Investigation Into Referee's Controversial Decisions

Published 8 July 2026 · sports

Egypt Files Complaint With FIFA, Demands Investigation Into Referee's Controversial Decisions Published By, Last Updated: July 08, 2026, 11:57 IST Egypt FA approached FIFA after

Egypt Files Complaint With FIFA, Demands Investigation Into Referee's Controversial Decisions Published By, Last Updated: July 08, 2026, 11:57 IST Egypt FA approached FIFA after World Cup elimination, alleging they were "cheated" in a 2-3 loss to Argentina. Rapid Read Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with referee Francois Letexier. (AP Photo) The Egypt Football Association has reportedly approached FIFA, football’s global governing authority, after being eliminated from the ongoing World Cup in the pre-quarters stage. Egypt blew away a 2-0 lead against reigning champions Argentina in Atlanta on Tuesday to suffer a 2-3 defeat and missed out on what would’ve been a historic last-8 appearance. Egypt were unhappy with a spate of decisions that went against them during the contest, with their coach Hossam Hassan alleging they were “cheated" out of a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

According to a report in Spanish publication Diario AS, the president of the Egypt Football Association, Hany Abo Rida, has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against French referee Francois Letexier and his officiating team. They want an investigation into the decisions made by the officials that went against Egypt, besides asking for Letexier and co. to be removed from the remainder of the World Cup. ‘We’ve Been Cheated’ Egypt coach Hassan was unforgiving in his assessment of the result, blaming the officials for eliminating his team from the tournament. “I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan said. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play.

There has not been respect or fair play." “A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the (shirt) being pulled back," he added. Hassan vowed not to watch the remainder of the tournament as a mark of protest. “I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup. This is my own way of speaking up," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent.