Egypt coach Hossam Hassan booked after anti-racism gesture in World Cup loss to Argentina

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan found himself at the centre of controversy after making a gesture towards the match officials during his side's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 loss to Argentina.

In Short

• Egypt blew a two-goal lead as Argentina stormed into the quarter-finals
• A disputed VAR review overturned Mostka Ziko's earlier finish after Salah's link-up
• Francois Letexier booked several Egyptians and sent off one bench member

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was shown a yellow card after making FIFA's anti-racism gesture during his side's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday.

Hassan's actions came during a chaotic closing phase at Atlanta Stadium, where Egypt surrendered a 2-0 lead as Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina fought back to reach the quarter-finals and keep alive their bid to retain the World Cup title.

Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup: HIGHLIGHTS

With emotions running high, several Egyptian players and members of the coaching staff were booked by French referee Francois Letexier. One member of the Egypt bench was also sent off in second-half stoppage time as tempers flared following a contentious VAR decision that ruled out what would have been Egypt's second goal.

Amid the protests, Hassan stood in front of Letexier and crossed his arms to form an "X" symbol, the gesture introduced by FIFA as part of its universal anti-racism protocol. Under the guidelines, players, coaches or team officials can use the signal to alert the referee to alleged racist abuse during a match.

If acknowledged, the referee can activate FIFA's three-step procedure, which begins with temporarily stopping play. If the abuse continues, the match can be suspended and, in extreme cases, abandoned.

Instead, Letexier showed Hassan a yellow card and play continued. Neither FIFA nor the match officials immediately explained why the Egypt coach was cautioned.

The controversy added to Egypt's frustration over a pivotal VAR intervention earlier in the second half. Mostka Ziko appeared to have doubled Egypt's lead after combining brilliantly with Mohamed Salah, only for the goal to be overturned after Letexier reviewed an earlier incident and ruled that Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez had been fouled in the build-up.

Ziko later scored a legitimate goal, but by then Argentina had completed their comeback. Messi equalised before Enzo Fernandez headed home a dramatic late winner to seal a 3-2 victory.

The VAR decision sparked a furious reaction online, with some supporters accusing officials of favouring Argentina. There is no evidence to support claims that the match was manipulated.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Egyptian football expert Ahmad Yousef questioned the consistency of the officiating.

"There is so much inconsistency at the moment with VAR and decisions and how far you go back to pull a decision," Yousef said.

"The referee made the wrong decision disallowing Egypt's second goal. There was such a long distance that had gone by and the foul was so minimal, so I completely understand why the Egyptian coaching staff and squad are so disappointed."

Argentina will now face Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals after surviving one of the biggest scares of their title defence.

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