By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has called on FIFA to remove the match officials who handled Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, the EFA confirmed it had submitted an official complaint to world football’s governing body, urging a thorough investigation into what it described as “double standards” in the officiating during the encounter in Atlanta.
One of the key incidents came with Egypt leading during the second half when VAR disallowed a goal scored by Mostafa Zico. The decision came after officials ruled that midfielder Marwan Attia had fouled Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez by stepping on his foot in the build-up.
The Pharaohs were also left frustrated after they believed Mohamed Salah was denied a clear penalty moments before Argentina launched the counterattack that resulted in the stoppage-time winner, completing a remarkable 3-2 comeback for the defending champions.
An EFA statement read: “Hany Abou Rida, president of the Egyptian football federation, filed a complaint with Fifa, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup.”
The EFA has called for an investigation of the team of referees and video technology referees after what it said were “blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage”.
It “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes” and alleged “the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.
Egypt have never reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who could be playing in his final World Cup, set up their first goal in the 79th minute and scored an 83rd-minute equaliser.
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