Egypt's national team coach, Hossam Hassan, became a topic after making a controversial gesture in the final minutes of the match against Argentina, on Tuesday, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt coach makes controversial gesture to Messi after elimination; look
Egypt's national team coach, Hossam Hassan, became a topic after making a controversial gesture in the final minutes of the match against Argentina, on Tuesday, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The episode took place after the...
At the edge of the field, Hassan crossed his hands in the shape of an “x”, a gesture whose meaning still generates debate. Normally, the sign is associated with reporting cases of racism on the field.
- However, there are also interpretations that the coach had simulated handcuffs, in a possible accusation of “theft” against the referee.
- Hossam Hassan had to be restrained by members of Egypt's technical committee and did not want to explain the meaning of the gesture after the match.
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The episode took place after the Argentine comeback, which guaranteed the South American team's qualification for the quarter-finals. At the edge of the field, Hassan crossed his hands in the shape of an “x”, a gesture whose meaning still generates debate.
Normally, the sign is associated with reporting cases of racism on the field. However, there are also interpretations that the coach had simulated handcuffs, in a possible accusation of “theft” against the referee.
Hossam Hassan had to be restrained by members of Egypt's technical committee and did not want to explain the meaning of the gesture after the match.
Lionel Messi, who was in the coach's direction at the time of the scene, expressed surprise and questioned the Egyptian coach's attitude.
Watch the video.
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