ZURICH/CAIRO: Egypt’s Football Association has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against the referee and VAR officials who officiated its World Cup Round of 32 defeat to Argentina, alleging serious officiating errors that influenced the outcome of the match.
The association called for French referee François Letexier and the VAR team to be removed from the tournament, accusing them of “serious mistakes and double standards” that it said contributed to Egypt’s 3-2 defeat and elimination.
In its complaint, the Egyptian FA alleged that the match officials repeatedly failed to use VAR to review key incidents and made several incorrect decisions that unfairly disadvantaged the Egyptian team.
It urged FIFA to launch a full investigation and take disciplinary action against the officials.
The controversy centred on several second-half incidents, including the VAR overturning of an Egyptian goal for a foul in the build-up and the referee’s decision not to award fouls or a penalty in separate challenges involving Egypt captain Mohamed Salah.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan also protested a number of refereeing decisions during the match and was shown a yellow card for his complaints.
Argentina came from behind to score three second-half goals and secure a 3-2 victory, advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals.
