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The Egyptian Football Association has criticized the decisions made by the referees during Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 World Cup Round of 16 victory against Argentina, saying it will not remain silent on what it says is the misuse of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The EFA said on Wednesday that several decisions during the match had an impact on the outcome.
Egypt looked like one of the game’s biggest upsets when they led defending champions Argentina 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining on Tuesday, only to concede three late goals and lose.
“Several major incidents have raised serious concerns and raised serious questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly affected the sport,” the organization said in a statement posted on social media.
“Several football experts and analysts, both in this country and abroad, have highlighted the conflicts and tastes of the players in the game.
“This underlines the importance of maintaining the highest standards of fairness, justice, and transparency in the administration of matches, especially at a level of competition and the importance of the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
According to several media reports, EFA President Hany Abo Rida has filed a complaint against French referee Francois Letexier and his supporters.
FIFA did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment on the complaints made in Egypt.
The main debate was on the goal of Mostafa Zico of Egypt in the 62nd minute which would have increased the lead of his team. The goal was disallowed after a VAR review showed that the Egyptian player had committed a foul in the build-up.
Egypt’s frustration deepened towards the end of the game as their appeal for a goal after Hamdy Fathy was brought down by a challenge, before Argentina stepped up and scored the winner in the 92nd minute.
A leading expert in the sports industry asked the VAR officials why had raised the issue as the officials of the stadium did not delay when Marwan Attia of Egypt lightly pulled the shirt and stepped on the foot of Lisandro Martinez.
“The logical answer to the VAR issue would be for fans and spectators to listen to what is being thought, hear the different arguments, and understand the basis of the decision,” Simon Chadwick, a professor of Afro-Eurasian sports at the Emlyon Business School in Shanghai, told Al Jazeera.
Chadwick admitted that, although the Egyptian players should not have been emotional, “an unfairness was caused by the decision of VAR”.
“This technology was supposed to reduce uncertainty and bring consistency. Instead, its use in the game had cognitive and behavioral effects,” he said.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah expressed their disappointment after the game, while several former players and television commentators also questioned the manager.
“Obviously, it’s not within VAR’s (area) to review that,” former England player Rob Green said on Fox TV during the game, referring to the foul that led to Zico’s goal being ruled out.
“It’s the whole length of the pitch.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer also criticized the decision-making process.
“Either they’re wrong, or they’re not. But they told us they wouldn’t take it back,” the Premier League’s top scorer wrote on social media.
The former Arsenal player, Ian Wright, also told about another incident involving Salah.
“If you are going to drag Argentina on the edge of the box to not allow a goal, you have to pull the back of this with Mo Salah. He is caught. Whatever we can say, it will be less, he is caught, and then he goes to the other end,” said Wright on ITV.
Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher also questioned the consistency of VAR’s work.
“If it had been in the Premier League, La Liga or Serie A, it would have been a goal even if VAR had highlighted it,” he said.
