In a thrilling match held in Atlanta for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine national team achieved an epic comeback by winning 3-2 against Egypt. However, the discordant note of the day came from the pro-Hamas Islamic coach, Hossam Hassan, who staged an embarrassing outburst of fury against the French referee François Letexier after being rightfully cautioned in the final minutes of the match.
The Egyptian coach, unable to accept the elimination, resorted to a gesture laden with ulterior motives. Upon receiving the yellow card, Hassan crossed his arms forming an “X” in the air, a gesture that, according to the rules, is used to denounce a “racist insult” from an opponent.
Hassan's fury was primarily unleashed by the correct intervention of the VAR, which disallowed what would have been Egypt's second goal. Referee Letexier determined, after reviewing the footage, that there was a clear “stomp on Lisandro Martínez” at the start of the play, a decisive foul that caused the Albiceleste to lose possession.
In response, the defeated coach shot without evidence at a press conference: “We have suffered an injustice” and cynically claimed that “pressure has been exerted on the referee by the Argentine team”.
