Egypt football body challenges VAR calls after Argentina loss
The Egyptian Football Association said officiating decisions affected its 3-2 World Cup knockout defeat to Argentina.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
The Egyptian Football Association has criticised the officiating in Egypt’s 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 loss to Argentina, saying decisions around VAR influenced the match. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that the federation said it would not stay silent about what it considered improper use of the review system.
Egypt led the defending champions 2-0 with 11 minutes left in Tuesday’s match at Atlanta Stadium before Argentina scored three late goals. The result eliminated Egypt and sent Argentina through after one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
In a statement posted on social media Wednesday, the EFA said multiple incidents created concern over the consistency and fairness of the officiating. The federation said football experts and analysts in Egypt and abroad had pointed to controversial decisions that shaped the game.
Several media reports said EFA President Hany Abo Rida filed a formal complaint against French referee Francois Letexier and his assistants. Al Jazeera said FIFA had not responded to its request for comment on the reported complaint.
Disallowed goal drew scrutiny
The main flashpoint came in the 62nd minute, when Egypt’s Mostafa Zico had a goal ruled out after a VAR check. Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that officials identified a foul by an Egyptian player in the buildup, wiping out a strike that would have put Egypt 2-0 ahead.
Simon Chadwick, a professor of Afro-Eurasian sport at Emlyon Business School in Shanghai, told Al Jazeera that the decision raised questions about why VAR intervened when the on-field officials had not called a foul. The incident involved Egypt’s Marwan Attia lightly pulling Lisandro Martinez’s shirt and stepping on his foot, according to Al Jazeera.
Chadwick told Al Jazeera that a clearer VAR process would allow fans and viewers to hear how officials assess disputed incidents and why decisions are made. He said Egypt’s players should not have let emotion take over, but added that the review created “a sense of injustice.”
Penalty appeal before winner
Egypt also appealed for a penalty late in the match after Hamdy Fathy went down under a challenge, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Referee Letexier did not award a spot kick, and Argentina then moved up the field and scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah voiced disappointment after the match, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Several former players and television analysts also questioned the officiating.
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green said on Fox’s broadcast that the review leading to Zico’s disallowed goal should not have fallen within VAR’s scope, according to Al Jazeera. Former England captain Alan Shearer wrote on social media that the standard applied to different incidents appeared inconsistent.
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright said on ITV that if officials pulled play back to cancel Egypt’s goal, they also should have reviewed contact on Salah in another incident, according to Al Jazeera. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said the same VAR situation in major European leagues would have left the goal standing, Al Jazeera reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.