Egypt’s anger over their dramatic World Cup defeat to Argentina has now moved from the pitch to FIFA’s offices.

The Egyptian Football Association has filed a formal complaint after the 3-2 loss in the last 16, a match in which the Pharaohs surrendered a two-goal lead and saw their dream of a historic quarter-final place disappear in stoppage time.

According to AS, federation president Hany Abo Rida has lodged an official protest against French referee François Letexier and his assistants, asking FIFA to investigate the decisions made during the match.

Egypt want Letexier removed

The complaint does not only ask for explanations. It also calls for Letexier and the rest of the French officiating team to be excluded from the remainder of the tournament.

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Egypt believe the refereeing decisions had a direct impact on the result, with the federation pointing to several incidents that it says went against Hossam Hassan’s side.

The two biggest flashpoints were Mostafa Ziko’s disallowed goal, which would have put Egypt 2-0 up earlier in the second half, and a late penalty appeal shortly before Enzo Fernández scored Argentina’s winner.

Described by EL PAÍS, Ziko’s ruled-out goal came after VAR sent Letexier to the monitor for a foul in the build-up. Later, Egypt appealed for penalties after incidents involving Hamdy Fathy and Mohamed Salah in the Argentina area, but VAR did not ask the referee to review either situation.

Hassan: “There has been no fair play”

Hassan was furious after the final whistle and said Egypt had been treated unfairly.

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“The result has been influenced by external factors. We deserved the victory. Even so, we leave with our heads held high. There has been no fair play, there has been no respect,” Hassan said.

He later added: “Why is there no justice in football? I am not convinced by this result. I am not convinced by how the match unfolded. We have been treated unfairly, we have suffered an injustice.”

The comments reflected the mood in the Egyptian camp, where players and staff surrounded the officials after Argentina’s late winner.

Quoted by The Guardian, Hassan also said: “It’s all about money. They want Messi to stay in the tournament.”

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FIFA yet to respond

The complaint adds another controversy to a tournament already marked by repeated arguments over refereeing, VAR and disciplinary decisions.

According to The Business Standard, Egypt’s complaint also refers to the match’s disciplinary record, with Egypt receiving five yellow cards and a member of the coaching staff being sent off, while Argentina finished without a booking.

The same report stated that Egypt had formally objected to Letexier’s appointment before the match, and that FIFA had not immediately commented on the complaint.

That silence leaves the case hanging over the tournament. FIFA is unlikely to change the result, but the Egyptian federation’s demand for an investigation ensures the refereeing debate will continue.

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A defeat that still hurts

Argentina’s comeback was extraordinary. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi equalised four minutes later, and Fernández headed in the winner in stoppage time.

But for Egypt, the drama is inseparable from the officiating.

They had been minutes away from one of the biggest wins in their history. Instead, they left the World Cup convinced that the decisive calls had gone against them.

The complaint to FIFA is therefore more than a formal protest. It is Egypt’s attempt to put on record that, in their view, the match was not decided by football alone.

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