politics
Egypt Coach Uses FIFA Press Conference to Urge Support for Palestinians
Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan used a FIFA media event on Monday to urge global backing for Palestinians ahead of a last-16 match against Argentina. He spoke for more than four minutes and received applause from assembled reporters.
Jul 7, 3:08 AM·1m read3 sources
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Egypt coach Hossam Hassan appealed for support for the Palestinian people during an official FIFA press conference on Monday, Haaretz reported. Hassan said anyone anywhere in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people has lost part of their humanity.
He added that through football, the world's soft power, he wanted to send a message for the Palestinian people to live and asked athletes and journalists to help deliver it.
The coach spoke for more than four minutes on the subject and was applauded by many of the assembled media, AP News reported. He had draped a Palestinian flag around himself after Egypt's round-of-32 win over Australia. Egypt defeated Australia in a penalty shootout in Arlington, Texas, on July 3.
The team faces Argentina on Tuesday in the last 16. Hassan said a win over Argentina would take Egypt to the quarterfinals for the first time. FIFA said it is permitted to display the Palestinian flag at the World Cup.
Hassan also stated that it has become normal to hear of two or three thousand people dying in a single day because of a missile and contrasted that with reactions to harm against animals.
