Egypt FA files formal complaint with FIFA, demands referee’s removal after controversial World Cup exit

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has submitted an official complaint to FIFA, demanding an investigation into French referee François Letexier and his officiating team following Egypt’s heartbreaking 3-2 Round of 16 defeat to defending champions Argentina.

The EFA is also calling for Letexier and his entire crew to be removed from the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a strongly worded statement, the EFA accused the officials of “serious refereeing mistakes” and “double standards” that directly contributed to Egypt’s elimination. The federation alleged “blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage”, going as far as accusing the officiating crew of “the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.

The Controversial Incidents

Egypt’s fury centers on three pivotal moments that they believe altered the course of the match:

· Disallowed Goal (59th minute): With Egypt leading 1-0, Mostafa Ziko scored what appeared to be a second goal. However, after a VAR review, Letexier disallowed the strike, ruling that midfielder Marwan Attia had stepped on Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez’s foot at the start of the move.
· Penalty Appeal on Mohamed Salah: In the dying moments with the score level at 2-2, Salah appeared to be fouled inside the Argentine penalty area. No penalty was given and no VAR review was called.
· Penalty Appeal on Hamdi Fathy: Moments later, Alexis Mac Allister was seen pulling Fathy down inside the area, but play was waved on. Seconds afterward, Argentina broke forward and scored the stoppage-time winner through Enzo Fernández.

‘We Have Been Treated Unfairly’

Head coach Hossam Hassan, who had raised concerns about Letexier’s appointment before kickoff due to France’s rivalry with Argentina, did not hold back in his post-match press conference.

“We looked better than the reigning champion—better in everything—but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it,” Hassan said. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running”.

He added: “A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed”.

Forward Mostafa Ziko was equally scathing: “The referee was unfair, unfair, unfair. He was against us from the first minute. It is clear that this tournament has been fixed”.

In a sarcastic outburst, Ziko added: “Congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup. We don’t need anything else from it”.

What Happens Next?

FIFA has acknowledged receipt of the complaint. However, it is highly unprecedented for the governing body to expel a referee mid-tournament unless a severe breach of integrity is proven.

Argentina advance to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Kansas City. For Egypt, a historic campaign that saw them reach the knockout stage for only the second time ends in bitter controversy—and a fight for justice that is only just beginning.