Egypt manager speaks out for first time explaining what ‘X’ gesture really meant
Egypt's manager has revealed he didn't throw up the 'X' gesture during his side's defeat to Argentina because racism occurred.
The World Cup has been full of controversies but no match has been as feisty as Egypt's exit at the hands of Argentina... at least until England take on the South Americans tonight.
England vs Argentina is an absolute blockbuster World Cup semi-final, but the reigning world champions came perilously close to being knocked out by Egypt in the last 16.
Argentina had come from two goals down to win the match in the dying moments, but Egypt were left feeling aggrieved, believing refereeing decisions had gone against them, leading to manager Hossam Hassan making an 'X' gesture with his arms.
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Under UEFA regulations, an 'X' gesture is used when an accusation of racist abuse has been made and the game needs to come to a halt.
But Hassan was actually using it to express his frustrations with the referee.
The Egypt manager was furious with the referee
Discussing the chaotic end to the thrilling match for the first time, Hassan has explained why he crossed his arms to make the 'X' gesture, while also claiming that Lionel Messi was emotional during the closing stages of the game.
“The gesture wasn’t racist. I was telling [the ref], ‘you’re not being fair,’" Hassan said, via The Sun.
“[Messi] came up to me and said: ‘Why?’ Why? Why?’ And I don’t know what else.
“It was one of the few times Messi got into arguments 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 them in a difficult position. I tried not to respond to him and to avoid any verbal friction between us, out of respect for his career.”
Egypt were left enraged after feeling a series of refereeing decisions had gone against them in the ultimate defeat.
While 1-0 up, Mostafa Ziko saw a goal chalked off after VAR intervened to point out a foul on an Argentinian player had occurred in the build-up to the goal.
Then, when Enzo Fernandez headed in a 94th minute winner, Egypt felt that Mohamed Salah should have been given a penalty at the other end of the field before Argentina counterattacked.
Hassan launched a furious rant after the game and suggested Argentina were favoured by officials.
The manager said: “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There seems to have been pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee that has brought about this outcome.
“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. OK, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports?
“I’m not convinced by this outcome and by the way things unfolded in this match.
“The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs.
“He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina.”
Ziko was also left raging and claimed: “It was a rigged game.”
FIFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina disputed Egypt's claims, saying: "Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport."
"Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.
"Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president."
Egypt had gone two goals up through Yasser Ibrahim and Ziko, who did score a goal that stood shortly after his disallowed effort.
However, Argentina mounted a comeback through Christian Romero and Messi before Fernandez won the match at the death.
After defeating Switzerland in their quarter-final match, Argentina now face England in the semi-finals at 8pm on Wednesday.
Daniel Murphy