Egypt's football federation has officially complained to FIFA, demanding the expulsion of referee Ivan Barton after their 3-2 loss to Argentina. The match, held on July 8, 2026, was marred by disputed decisions that Egypt claims unfairly favored Argentina.
Controversial Decisions
The Egyptian federation cited two key incidents: a penalty awarded to Argentina for a handball that replays showed struck a player's shoulder, and a disallowed Egyptian goal due to an offside call that appeared incorrect. The federation stated these errors directly influenced the result.
In a statement, the Egyptian FA said: "We have submitted a formal protest to FIFA requesting a thorough investigation and the immediate suspension of referee Ivan Barton. The integrity of the match was compromised."
Impact on Egypt's Campaign
The defeat leaves Egypt's World Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy. Currently third in their group, they trail Argentina by two points with two matches remaining. A win would have put them level on points.
Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah expressed frustration: "We gave everything on the pitch, but decisions like these are hard to accept. We trust FIFA will take appropriate action."
FIFA's Response
FIFA has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and stated it will review the matter. A spokesperson said: "FIFA takes all official complaints seriously and will assess the evidence provided." No timeline for a decision has been given.
This is not the first time Barton has been involved in controversy. In 2023, he was criticized for his handling of a Copa Libertadores match. Egypt hopes this history will weigh in their favor.
