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Rabat – Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has denied claims that he insulted Moroccan fans during his team’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 win over Benin, insisting that a viral video was misunderstood and taken out of context.
The incident happened at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir after Mohamed Salah scored Egypt’s third goal in extra time, sealing a 3–1 win and sending the Pharaohs into the quarterfinals.
Cameras captured Hassan making hand gestures toward the stands, which quickly spread across social media. Some viewers suggested the gestures were directed at Moroccan supporters, who were believed to be backing Benin during parts of the match.
The video sparked debate, especially among Moroccan fans, with some interpreting the coach’s actions as provocative. Given the strong support Egypt has enjoyed from local crowds in Agadir throughout the tournament, this seemed particularly surprising.
In his post-match press conference, Hassan firmly rejected the accusations, “I thank the Egyptian and Moroccan fans who supported us throughout the match. The video that spread on social media was misunderstood. How could I attack Moroccan fans in Agadir after all the support we received? The Moroccan crowd was wonderful with us.”
He stressed that his gestures were celebratory and not aimed at anyone in particular. Hassan emphasized his respect for Moroccan supporters, noting that their presence has been a positive factor for Egypt since the group stage.
Egypt’s win over Benin was hard-fought, going into extra time, before Salah’s decisive goal ended the contest. The result secured Egypt’s place in the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.
