The heated encounter has prompted conspiracy claims from the disgruntled manager, who insisted his team were disadvantaged by the tournament’s fixture scheduling and suggested others were envious of Egypt’s achievements in the competition. Hassan was spotted on the pitch raising seven fingers, representing the number of AFCON titles his country has claimed. After the final whistle, Egyptian players confronted the match officials in the centre circle, even suggesting they had been financially influenced.
Egypt travelled from Agadir to Tangier, a distance of 490 miles, for the Senegal fixture having beaten the Ivory Coast just four days earlier.
In contrast, Senegal enjoyed an additional day’s recovery despite playing Mali in the same stadium as their semi-final triumph.
Hassan seized the opportunity to emphasise the obstacles his squad encountered, implying that his team had been deliberately disadvantaged by such arrangements.
“Egypt does not need excuses and apologies,” he declared, per SportyFM. “Egypt is great and no one will dare to win seven titles like us.
“We just needed fairness like [Senegal]. We played the day after the Senegal match, who are playing in the semi on the same field, and I’m surprised by that.
“By what FIFA law is what happened to the Egypt team done? When a team reaches the semis, do you honour it or torture it?
“It is expected that teams will be given a break fairly among them to see a great semi, but what happened is that the three teams got more rest.
“I told the players to ignore [the chants from the stands] and focus. I don’t want to talk about it.
“We are Arabs of Africa and Egypt is great, the mother of the Arabs and the mother of Africa in terms of history and titles, and everyone is jealous.”
Despite boasting talent including Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, Egypt haven’t lifted the AFCON trophy since 2010, having previously secured back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2008.
The Pharaohs came agonisingly close in 2022, losing to Senegal on penalties with Mane converting the decisive spot-kick, while Salah was fifth on the list and never got the opportunity to take his penalty.
Egypt must now contest the third-place play-off on Saturday, whilst Senegal prepare to face either tournament hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final.