Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said at the World Cup on Monday that the suffering of the Palestinian people was a “shame on the world” as he called on football to do more to come to their aid ahead of the Argentina clash.
Hassan waved a Palestinian flag after Egypt beat Australia on penalties to reach the World Cup last 16, where they will meet defending champions Argentina on Tuesday.
“If there is someone who has not felt the suffering of the Palestinian people then he or she has no humanity,” Hassan said in a lengthy address to a question on the subject at his pre-match press conference in Atlanta.
“I would like to say this is a shame on us. A shame on the entire world, not just the Arab world, a shame on everyone and a shame on first of all decision makers who leave human beings behind.”
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Hassan’s answer was greeted by applause from many of the journalists present at the press conference.
Egypt’s all-time top goalscorer went on to call for FIFA and players to take a more active stance for the Palestinian people.
“My message would be to use football as soft power,” he added. “I urge all of you, the media, all athletes worldwide, regardless of their identities maybe we can convey a collective message.
“That is as follows: ‘let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live a life of their own’. This is normal,” he concluded.
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