Egypt to FIFA: Investigate referee who denied us against Argentina

Egypt have filed a formal complaint with FIFA against French referee Francois Letexier and his officiating team following their controversial 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup Round of 16.

The Egyptian Football Federation said its president, Hany Aburida, submitted the complaint after what it described as serious refereeing mistakes and double standards that contributed to Egypt’s exit.

Egypt are demanding an investigation into Letexier, the VAR officials and the entire officiating crew.

The federation also wants the referee and his team removed from the rest of the tournament if FIFA establishes wrongdoing.

The complaint followed two major incidents in Tuesday’s match.

Egypt had a Mostafa Ziko goal ruled out while leading 1-0 after VAR spotted an earlier foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up.

Egypt later went 2-0 up through Ziko before Argentina fought back through Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi.

The second major controversy came in stoppage time before Argentina’s winning goal, when Egypt felt they should have been awarded a penalty for an alleged pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

Instead, play continued and Enzo Fernandez scored Argentina’s winner.

“Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team,” the federation said.

The EFA said Egypt believed they were denied a valid goal and a penalty.

It also accused the officiating team of discrimination against the Pharaohs.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had earlier accused officials of injustice after the match, claiming his team had been unfairly treated.

“We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan said.

He also suggested that officials may have wanted Argentina and Lionel Messi to remain in the tournament.

Argentina’s victory sent the defending champions into the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland.

Sky Sports reported that Hassan criticised the officiating as unfair and said Egypt had two penalty claims waved away, while The Guardian reported that Egypt had formally lodged a complaint with FIFA over the refereeing.