By The Scm Football Desk
ATLANTA, Georgia – EGYPT manager Hossam Hassan launched into a sensational, emotional tirade after his side’s World Cup dreams evaporated last night, furiously claiming the tournament is “rigged” in favor of Argentina.
The Pharaohs were cruelly dumped out of the tournament’s Round of 16 following a highly controversial 3–2 defeat to the defending champions at the Atlanta Stadium.
Egypt looked to be on the cusp of a historic victory before a highly contentious VAR intervention stripped them of a crucial goal, sparking an absolute meltdown on the pitch and down the tunnel.
Following the final whistle, an emotionally overwhelmed Hassan refused to hold back, taking direct aim at FIFA and the match officials during a fiery post-match press conference.
”I will say what’s on my mind regardless of the consequences,” Hassan declared, visibly shaking with anger. “This was clearly a rigged match, and the whole world saw it.”
He didn’t stop there, adding: “If they want Argentina to win so badly, why invite everyone else to participate?”
The fury stems from an unprecedented second-half incident that has left pundits worldwide scratching their heads. With Egypt fighting tooth and nail, they appeared to have secured a vital breakthrough when Mostafa Ziko put the ball in the back of the net.
However, a lengthy VAR review shockingly overturned the goal. The referee was instructed to review an alleged Egyptian foul that had occurred nearly 100 yards away from where the goal was actually finished at the other end of the pitch.
The bizarre reversal completely deflated the Pharaohs and breathed life back into Lionel Scaloni’s men. Deep into the second half, Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and an injury-time strike from Enzo Fernández completed a frantic 3–2 comeback for Argentina, while Egypt finished the match in disarray, racking up a flurry of late yellow cards as tempers boiled over.
Egyptian forward Mostafa Ziko echoed his manager’s sentiments, cutting an equally bitter figure in the mixed zone:
”The referee was unfair, unfair, unfair… The cup is being given to Argentina.”
Hassan’s explosive comments cap off what has been a highly charged, headline-making World Cup campaign for the iconic Egyptian manager.
Just days ago, Hassan found himself at the center of a massive political storm after Egypt’s historic Round of 32 penalty shootout victory over Australia in Dallas.
The coach celebrated wildly on the pitch while unfurling and waving a Palestinian flag, later dedicating the triumph to the people of Gaza.
The action drew immense scrutiny and demands for disciplinary action from various political circles, but FIFA ultimately declined to sanction him, clarifying that the Palestinian flag represents a recognized member association and does not violate regulations.
On the eve of the Argentina clash, Hassan had used his pre-match press conference to deliver a tearful, four-minute monologue calling for global humanitarian respect for Palestine.
Now, having safely navigated that political minefield, Hassan finds himself squarely in the crosshairs of FIFA’s strict rules regarding match integrity and the criticism of officials. His explosive claims that the World Cup has been manufactured for Lionel Messi’s reigning champions are almost certain to trigger a heavy investigation and a potential long-term touchline ban.