Fifa issues statement on Egypt coach’s Palestine tribute after World Cup victory

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleHassan is not known to be religious or connected to any political group (REUTERS)Egypt's national football coach, Hossam Hassan, displayed a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his team secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory against Australia in the World Cup round of 32.Hassan declared in an emotional post-game interview, "My heart and soul are with them," and dedicated the significant win to both the Egyptian and Palestinian people.A video of Hassan walking across the field with the flag as crowds chanted “Free, free Palestine!” went viral, with a former head of Egypt’s Journalists’ Union calling it “the most significant scene.”This act of solidarity comes amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has seen over 73,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began on 7 October 2023.FIFA confirmed that displaying the Palestinian flag is permitted at the World Cup, as the Palestine Football Association is a member, indicating no action would be taken against Hassan, despite previous restrictions on other political statements.In fullEgypt’s coach waves Palestinian flag after World Cup victory: ‘My heart and soul are with them’More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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