Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterNew York mayor Zohran Mamdani has told people exactly what he thought about Argentina's World Cup victory over Egypt.It looked like a huge upset could be on the cards, with the defending champions 2-0 down with little more than 10 minutes of the game remaining, after Lionel Messi had missed a penalty earlier in the match.However, a staggering late comeback saw them win 3-2 over the North African side to progress to the quarter finals.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kEgyptians left unhappy in Argentina defeat by refereeing decisionsThe Egyptians were left furious after some refereeing decisions went against them in the game that could have completely changed the way the match played out.A disallowed goal earlier in the match, and a potential foul on Mo Salah in the build-up to Argentina's winner were the greatest injustices, in their eyes, leading to some Egypt players to say that the game was "fixed". You may like Egypt superstar questions FIFA integrity with shocking 'rigged' allegations for Lionel Messi and Argentina How to watch Argentina vs Egypt for FREE Who is Francois Letexier? The referee for Argentina vs Egypt Striker Mostafa Zico said after the game: "Theres been an unfairness, right from the start of the match. It is clear that this tournament has been fixed."While Mamdani didn't necessarily go that far, he did seem to side with the Egyptians' thoughts on the referee's decisions that went against them.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In an off-hand comment during a speech about transport, the mayor said New Yorkers could spend more time "agreeing with your friends that Egypt were robbed yesterday" now that there are extra bus lanes in the city.He then reiterated his suggestion later on at the same speech saying: "With my extra six minutes [gained from faster public transport] I would probably just watch the replays of Egypt getting robbed again and again."FIFA has been quick to refute the suggestions made by the Egyptian team that anything had been "fixed".FIFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has backed referee Francois Letexier and the standard of refereeing throughout the whole tournament, saying that Egypt's allegations are "unfounded".In an interview at the end of the Round of 16 matches, he said: "Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football."But unfounded allegations have no place in our sport. Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right."TOPICSArgentinaEgyptRyan GraySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterRyan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names.
