Ibrahim Hassan, the Egypt national team manager, clarified the details of what happened with the Dallas police at the hotel on the eve of Egypt's match against Australia in the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian national team delegation traveled on Wednesday to Texas in preparation for facing Australia in the round of 32 of the World Cup.
Ibrahim Hassan, the Egypt national team manager, said via MBC Egypt channel: "The altercation was quick, the security personnel dealt with us very badly, the Egypt national team delegation was in its designated place at the hotel and an Egypt national team fan came and asked to take a picture of his son with Trezeguet".
He added "The security personnel dealt violently and assaulted me by hitting me in the chest, 'and if I die, no one should step on our dignity even if it's the last moment of my life in any country', and I reclaimed my right and my country's right and the child's right".
He continued "Everyone dealt with us wonderfully and with extraordinary love, to the extent that a police officer from Seattle gifted Hossam Hassan his badge".
He concluded "Before the penalty shootout, I swore to Hossam Hassan that the first kick for Australia would go over the crossbar, which happened, as well as the fourth kick".
The Dallas police clarified in their statement that they are aware of the circulating video, which shows one of their members intervening with members of one of the football teams participating in the tournament.
The statement added that the Dallas police responded to a report received from the security of one of the hotels, indicating the presence of a person who does not hold a special permit for the tournament and is trying to enter the area designated for the team's accommodation.
The statement continued that after verification, it was found that the team members were not wearing the World Cup team identity cards visibly, which is a mandatory procedure according to the organizing regulations.
The Dallas police confirmed that the situation was contained at the scene without escalation, noting that they held a meeting with the team's representatives to discuss the observations and concerns, before the matter was fully resolved and the case ended without taking any additional measures.
A source earlier clarified in exclusive statements to FilGoal.com: "An altercation occurred between Ibrahim Hassan, the team manager, and one of the officials present at the accommodation hotel."
The source mentioned "The reason for the altercation is due to the organizers' poor treatment of the Egyptian fans who wanted to take souvenir photos".
The source confirmed "The situation was simple and momentary, and there is nothing that affects the Egypt national team's focus in the World Cup".
The Egypt national team achieved victory over Australia with a score of 2-1 and qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup.
