Francois Letexier not listening to Egypt
The World Cup Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Egypt has continued to generate reactions, with pundits and fans lashing out at the centre referee Francois Letexier over his handling of the exhilarating game.
During the match, the Egyptians who led by a 2-0 margin at a certain point were left aggrieved by several questionable calls including; a goal scored by Mostafa Zico which was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check and penalty call on captain Mohammed Salah.
Fans and critics questioned why the goal scored by Zico was disallowed stating that the decision not to give the goal is completely against how the tournament has been refereed.
Dale Johnson of BBC Sport in a post on X argued that one can’t have a light touch where you don’t give fouls for minimal contact and then rule out a goal through VAR for a very minimal hold of the shirt.
“Egypt’s disallowed goal was completely against how this tournament has been refereed,” he wrote
“You can’t have a light touch where you don’t give fouls for minimal contact and then rule out a goal through VAR for a very minimal hold of the shirt.”
Moments after he shared his comments on the microblogging platform, Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer, responded to Johnson’s post, writing: “Either both are fouls or neither is. But they told us they won’t re-referee.”
Football analyst Geronimo Morgan also questioned why VAR didn’t review what he claimed were two clear fouls inside the Argentinian box against Egypt players before Fernandez’s goal.
“Why? A foul on Martinez overturned Egypt’s second goal. Why does the treatment have to be so one-sided? This is completely unfair….Egypt have been robbed,” Morgans claimed.
Read Also: Messi-inspired comeback sees Argentina past Egypt into World Cup Quarters
Fans on X launched a tirade at FIFA accusing it of successfully robbing another African country at the ongoing 2026 World Cup in favour of Lionel Messi led Argentina.
@AKKAN1217 wrote: “Again FIFA robbed another African country, when are we going to be free from the hand of dis OYINBO dem?
“Nothing anybody won tell me that Egypt were not robbed. KARMA is real ojoro people’s congress.”
@N_fweshh added: “Biggest Robbery in football, Two Egyptian players were fouled which lead to the goal and VAR didnt review it lol But they reviewed the one that lead to Egypt goal …FIFA Favoritism once again lol
@Haydeeofficial lamented saying: “To be honest. They did Ojoro for Egypt. Argentina’s 3rd goal should have been canceled for a penalty for Egypt. 2 different fouls committed in the penalty box and none was reviewed.”
@ambaposh pointed fingers at the football governing body saying; “FIFA don Dey do ojoro because of Messi again.”
@EMMRYS0110 said: “At this point na to leave Argentina to God..if no be say Egypt useless, person use ojoro for you and you still luckily score two goals..no be wetin suppose ginger you to push for that win be that…omorh…dem fall my hand gan o.
@DannyMike wrote: “I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN OJORO FOUL BEFORE IN THIS WORLD CUP IN THIS ARGENTINA EGYPT GAME. TUUUEEEEEH FIFA.”
Read Also: Egypt coach, players lament referee’s handling of Argentina game
However, some other fans blamed Egypt’s elimination to a lack of game management after leading Argentina by 2-0 until they capitulated in the 79th minute of the game.
@getKennethed22 wrote: “How’s that an ojoro for God’s sake? Argentina, and Messi in particular took the game personally.
“Is it FIFA that gave the assist for the first goal? Is it FIFA that scored the second goal for Argentina?
“Kill this agenda. Your useless ewure Ronaldo is at home already. Enjoy the reminder of the World Cup.
@Chyde wrote: “Not entertaining any “fifa/ojoro” insinuations. Not going to argue with anybody who’s saying it on their timeline either. Nothing can change your agenda so keep crying while my GOAT attempts to win another World Cup.
@Kingsleyorji14 ended the thread on a lighter note saying: “You held Israelites for over 40 years but you guys couldn’t hold Argentina for just the remaining 15 minutes. Una dey there dey shout Corruption, Robbery and Ojoro.”
Divided opinions as fans react to officiating of Egypt vs Argentina thriller
The World Cup Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Egypt has continued to generate reactions, with pundits and fans lashing out at the centre referee Francois Letexier over his handling of the exhilarating game.
During the match, the Egyptians who led by a 2-0 margin at a certain point were left aggrieved by several questionable calls including; a goal scored by Mostafa Zico which was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check and penalty call on captain Mohammed Salah.
Fans and critics questioned why the goal scored by Zico was disallowed stating that the decision not to give the goal is completely against how the tournament has been refereed.
Dale Johnson of BBC Sport in a post on X argued that one can’t have a light touch where you don’t give fouls for minimal contact and then rule out a goal through VAR for a very minimal hold of the shirt.
“Egypt’s disallowed goal was completely against how this tournament has been refereed,” he wrote
“You can’t have a light touch where you don’t give fouls for minimal contact and then rule out a goal through VAR for a very minimal hold of the shirt.”
Moments after he shared his comments on the microblogging platform, Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer, responded to Johnson’s post, writing: “Either both are fouls or neither is. But they told us they won’t re-referee.”
Football analyst Geronimo Morgan also questioned why VAR didn’t review what he claimed were two clear fouls inside the Argentinian box against Egypt players before Fernandez’s goal.
“Why? A foul on Martinez overturned Egypt’s second goal. Why does the treatment have to be so one-sided? This is completely unfair….Egypt have been robbed,” Morgans claimed.
Read Also: Messi-inspired comeback sees Argentina past Egypt into World Cup Quarters
Fans on X launched a tirade at FIFA accusing it of successfully robbing another African country at the ongoing 2026 World Cup in favour of Lionel Messi led Argentina.
@AKKAN1217 wrote: “Again FIFA robbed another African country, when are we going to be free from the hand of dis OYINBO dem?
“Nothing anybody won tell me that Egypt were not robbed. KARMA is real ojoro people’s congress.”
@N_fweshh added: “Biggest Robbery in football, Two Egyptian players were fouled which lead to the goal and VAR didnt review it lol But they reviewed the one that lead to Egypt goal …FIFA Favoritism once again lol
@Haydeeofficial lamented saying: “To be honest. They did Ojoro for Egypt. Argentina’s 3rd goal should have been canceled for a penalty for Egypt. 2 different fouls committed in the penalty box and none was reviewed.”
@ambaposh pointed fingers at the football governing body saying; “FIFA don Dey do ojoro because of Messi again.”
@EMMRYS0110 said: “At this point na to leave Argentina to God..if no be say Egypt useless, person use ojoro for you and you still luckily score two goals..no be wetin suppose ginger you to push for that win be that…omorh…dem fall my hand gan o.
@DannyMike wrote: “I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN OJORO FOUL BEFORE IN THIS WORLD CUP IN THIS ARGENTINA EGYPT GAME. TUUUEEEEEH FIFA.”
Read Also: Egypt coach, players lament referee’s handling of Argentina game
However, some other fans blamed Egypt’s elimination to a lack of game management after leading Argentina by 2-0 until they capitulated in the 79th minute of the game.
@getKennethed22 wrote: “How’s that an ojoro for God’s sake? Argentina, and Messi in particular took the game personally.
“Is it FIFA that gave the assist for the first goal? Is it FIFA that scored the second goal for Argentina?
“Kill this agenda. Your useless ewure Ronaldo is at home already. Enjoy the reminder of the World Cup.
@Chyde wrote: “Not entertaining any “fifa/ojoro” insinuations. Not going to argue with anybody who’s saying it on their timeline either. Nothing can change your agenda so keep crying while my GOAT attempts to win another World Cup.
@Kingsleyorji14 ended the thread on a lighter note saying: “You held Israelites for over 40 years but you guys couldn’t hold Argentina for just the remaining 15 minutes. Una dey there dey shout Corruption, Robbery and Ojoro.”
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