Khabib Nurmagomedov Supports Hossam Hassan Amid FIFA Controversy
The Russian MMA legend's surprise message of support for Egypt's coach comes as FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina addresses the controversy surrounding Egypt's dramatic 3 to 2 defeat to Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.
Messenger
Whatsapp
Threads
Email
Print
X
Facebook
Retired Russian mixed martial arts legend Khabib Nurmagomedov sent a message of support to Egypt national team head coach Hossam Hassan following the events that unfolded during the Pharaohs' Round of 16 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Egypt were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing 3 to 2 to Argentina in a match marked by several controversial refereeing decisions that sparked outrage among Egyptian fans, who believed the team had been treated unfairly by the officials.
Egypt took a two-goal lead, but Argentina staged a comeback to win 3 to 2 in the final minutes, securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, where they will face Switzerland.
What did Khabib Nurmagomedov say about Egypt coach Hossam Hassan?
Khabib Nurmagomedov unexpectedly reposted on his Instagram account a photo of Hossam Hassan from his playing days, highlighting some of his greatest achievements with the Egypt national team. He accompanied the post with the caption: "Yesterday, they showed him no respect, but we love him."
Hossam Hassan had reacted emotionally after the match, protesting the refereeing decisions. The Egyptian Football Association subsequently submitted an official complaint to FIFA, calling for an investigation into the refereeing team and requesting that the officials be removed from officiating the remaining matches of the World Cup.
This is what happened in the Egypt vs Argentina match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
He said, "During tournaments, we usually prefer not to focus on individual incidents. However, just as we recently explained what referees will be monitoring when attacking players attempt to block the opposing goalkeeper's movement and ability to defend the goal, we also wanted to clarify another issue that has generated significant debate."
He continued, "After every goal is scored, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews the Attacking Possession Phase (APP). If an infringement is identified during the build up to the goal and it is considered to have had an impact on the scoring of the goal, the VAR recommends an on field review. There is no limit based on either the distance of the infringement from the goal or the amount of time between the infringement and the goal."
He added, "One example is what happened in the Argentina vs Egypt match, when Egypt's number 19, Marwan Attia, clearly stepped on the foot of Argentina's number 6, Lisandro Martínez."
He went on, "We believe that a foul is still a foul. Whether it appears obvious or not, if the referee on the field did not see it, the Video Assistant Referee has the authority to intervene."
He further explained, "Likewise, if no foul is detected during the attacking possession phase that leads to a goal, the VAR informs the referee accordingly. Stepping on an opponent's foot is a foul, whereas a defender who plays the ball first and is then involved in natural contact as part of normal play has not committed a foul. Another example occurred near the end of the same match, when both the referee and the VAR determined that the contact between Egypt's number 10, Mohamed Salah, and Argentina's number 10, Julián Álvarez, was normal football contact."
He concluded, "Of course, there will always be an element of subjective judgment in certain decisions, but we are satisfied with the way this principle has been applied throughout the tournament."