Key facts
- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan made a statement about the Palestinian people at a World Cup press conference.
- Hassan stated that those who do not feel for Palestinians are 'not human'.
- He drew parallels between the treatment of animals and the deaths of people in conflict.
- FIFA permits the display of the Palestinian flag at the World Cup.
- Hassan expressed confidence in Egypt's ability to compete against Argentina.
Egypt's World Cup coach, Hossam Hassan, used a press conference intended to preview his team's match against Argentina to deliver an impassioned statement on the plight of the Palestinian people. Hassan, who has previously shown support for Palestine, spoke for over four minutes, stating that anyone who does not feel for the Palestinian people is 'not human'. He drew comparisons to the global reaction to animal rights abuses and highlighted the scale of daily casualties in the ongoing conflict.
Hassan's remarks come amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed. He emphasized that support for human rights should be universal, regardless of nationality or religion.
FIFA has confirmed that displaying the Palestinian flag is permitted at the World Cup. Hassan also expressed confidence in Egypt's team and their ambitions, stating they are not underdogs and represent a civilization with a history of over 7,000 years. The match against Argentina is a significant one for Egypt, as a win would see them reach the quarterfinals for the first time.