Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has spoken out after his controversial ‘X’ gesture during his side’s dramatic 3-2 FIFA World Cup 16 defeat to Argentina sparked widespread debate. The moment, directed at referee François Letexier in stoppage time, quickly attracted attention as it resembled UEFA’s official anti-racism reporting protocol used by players and staff to report discriminatory abuse. With tensions high after a chaotic finish and a series of disputed decisions, the gesture has become one of the most talked about incidents of the match, raising questions about its meaning and intent.
Hassan says the gesture was aimed at the referee, not an allegation of racism
The fire came in the closing stages of Egypt’s round of 16 defeat after Argentina completed a remarkable comeback from two goals down.With emotions running high, television cameras captured Hassan crossing his forearms in an ‘X’ shape as he directed his frustration at referee François Letexier. His twin brother and assistant coach, Ibrahim Hassan, immediately lowered his arms before the Egypt manager was shown a yellow card.Because the gesture has been used in professional football to report alleged racist abuse, including during Benfica’s Champions League meeting with Real Madrid earlier this year, it quickly led to speculation about its intended meaning.Speaking after the tournament, however, Hassan strongly rejected that interpretation.“The gesture was not racist,” Hassan said quoted by The Sun.“I said [the referee]”you’re not right.”
Hassan reveals the exchange with Lionel Messi
Hassan also cleared his confrontation with Lionel Messi in the final moments of the match.According to the coach of Egypt, Messi questioned him immediately after the incident as the tension increased on the line.“[Messi] he came to me and said, “Why?” For what? For what?’ And I don’t know what else,” said Hassan.“It was one of the few times that Messi had discussions during a match. And he ended up crying because he was having a hard time emotionally.“We were a very tough team and we put him in a difficult position. I tried not to answer him and to avoid any verbal friction between us, out of respect for his career.”The emotional contest saw Argentina overturn a 2-0 deficit through goals from Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández during a frantic 13-minute spell to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Egypt maintained that the officiating cost them the match
Despite clarifying the meaning of his gesture, Hassan did not clear his criticism of the office.Egypt believed they were denied several crucial decisions during the match, including the disallowance of Mostafa Ziko’s goal and what was felt was an unpunished foul. Mohamed Salah in the accumulation of the dramatic winner of Enzo Fernández.Immediately after the defeat, Hassan suggested that outside pressure had influenced the officers.“We didn’t see respect or fair play,” I said.“It seems that there was pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee who brought this result.“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. OK, but why is there no justice in sports?“I am not convinced by this result and by the way things developed in this match.“The referee is unfair, God is enough for me and the best disposer of affairs.“It has wasted the effort of an entire nation. The cup is headed towards Argentina.”The Egyptian Football Association later issued its own strongly worded statement, asking FIFA to investigate what it described as “flagrant errors” by the refereeing team and demanding the removal of referee Letexier and his team from the rest of the tournament.
FIFA responded as disciplinary uncertainty remains
The accusations prompted a response from FIFA through Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, who defended the integrity of the officials and dismissed suggestions that Argentina had received favorable treatment.Although Hassan has not yet faced disciplinary action for his touching behavior or his post-match remarks, the matter has not been completely closed.According to athletics, FIFA intends to review possible disciplinary cases after the conclusion of the World Cup, following the same approach it adopted after the 2022 tournament.Hassan and Egyptian striker Mostafa Ziko are among those who could also face sanctions for comments deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, while other figures, including Swiss defender Manuel Akanji and England manager Thomas Tuchel, have also publicly criticized refereeing standards during the tournament.Hassan’s latest explanation, however, removes one aspect of the controversy. While Egypt continues to dispute the official who accompanied his heartbreaking elimination, the veteran coach insists that the gesture that generated debate around the world was never intended as an allegation of racism, but rather a protest against what he believes was an unfair performance by the referee.