Hossam Hassan: "The Viral Video Was Misunderstood; How Could I Attack Moroccan Fans After All the Support We Received?"

Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan has broken his silence to address the controversy surrounding his animated gestures on the touchline during his team's match against Benin in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco.

The Pharaohs' coach's statement came after a video widely circulated following Mohamed Salah's third goal for Egypt in extra time. This goal secured a 3-1 victory at Adrar Stadium in Agadir, earning the Egyptian team a spot in the quarterfinals.

The viral video showed Hossam Hassan making gestures towards the stands immediately after the third goal, sparking interpretations that he might have been targeting Moroccan fans, who were reportedly supporting the Benin national team during the match.

The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, eliciting mixed reactions, particularly within Moroccan circles. Some observers considered the gesture provocative and inconsistent with the tournament's atmosphere, where Egypt had received significant fan support.

In the post-match press conference, the Egyptian coach was keen to deny all circulating interpretations, affirming that his actions were misunderstood and taken out of their true context.

He stated: "I thank the Egyptian and Moroccan fans who attended and supported us throughout the match."

He added: "The video that circulated on social media was misunderstood."

Hassan further clarified: "How could I attack the Moroccan fans in Agadir after all the support we received? The Moroccan crowd was wonderful with us."

Observers noted that the stadium stands witnessed a large crowd, mostly supporting the Egyptian national team. This scene has been consistent since the group stage, where the historic African champions received remarkable encouragement from Moroccan fans.

This fact cast widespread doubt on the hypothesis of targeting local fans, prompting Hossam Hassan to reiterate his gratitude to the host nation's fans, emphasizing his respect and appreciation for them.

Egypt's qualification came after a challenging match that extended into extra time, before Mohamed Salah's late goal ultimately ended Benin's hopes.