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SEATTLE — Egypt coach Hossam Hassan thought his side deserved a late penalty against Belgium, and he felt the need to protest in hands-on fashion.
Hassan angrily hugged the referee after what he thought should have been a penalty, demonstrating to the official what he felt Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper did to Egypt's Zizo in the box.
Late in the match, Zizo drove into the box and attempted to cut past De Cuyper, who impeded the attacker and put his arms around him briefly.
Both players fell to the ground but Brazilian official Ramon Abatti was unmoved, signaling for play to continue. There was no VAR review of the incident.
A furious Hassan protested to fourth official Kevin Ortega, at one point giving the Peruvian a full bear hug. Egypt star Mohamed Salah had to pull his coach away to avoid any punishment.
The match would end 1-1 at Lumen Field, with each team taking a point from its Group G opener.
In a TV interview after the game, Hassan hit out at the referee's decision.
"We had a penalty that was a million percent correct," he fumed. "I'm shocked the referee didn't even check VAR. If it was against us, it would have been given. We were close to winning — Egypt is not a small team."
Egypt and Belgium will close out group play against New Zealand and Iran.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan hugs referee after Belgium missed call
Continue reading...
Hassan angrily hugged the referee after what he thought should have been a penalty, demonstrating to the official what he felt Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper did to Egypt's Zizo in the box.
Late in the match, Zizo drove into the box and attempted to cut past De Cuyper, who impeded the attacker and put his arms around him briefly.
Both players fell to the ground but Brazilian official Ramon Abatti was unmoved, signaling for play to continue. There was no VAR review of the incident.
A furious Hassan protested to fourth official Kevin Ortega, at one point giving the Peruvian a full bear hug. Egypt star Mohamed Salah had to pull his coach away to avoid any punishment.
The match would end 1-1 at Lumen Field, with each team taking a point from its Group G opener.
In a TV interview after the game, Hassan hit out at the referee's decision.
"We had a penalty that was a million percent correct," he fumed. "I'm shocked the referee didn't even check VAR. If it was against us, it would have been given. We were close to winning — Egypt is not a small team."
Egypt and Belgium will close out group play against New Zealand and Iran.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan hugs referee after Belgium missed call
Continue reading...
