Roy Keane Blasts Refereeing After Egypt Draw With Belgium

Egypt had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Belgium on Monday night and still has not won at the World Cup. Egypt led through an Imam Ashour goal, but an own goal by Mohamed Hany in the second half brought Belgium level and left Egypt with only one point after a solid performance.

The main controversy came in the second minute of stoppage time. Egypt substitute Zizo appeared to be brought down in the penalty area by substitute defender Maxime De Cuyper, but Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti did not award a penalty. The VAR team also did not intervene.

Pundit Roy Keane angrily condemned the decision. “Did you see what happened to Zizo?! Mounier, that was De Cuyper, put his hands on him like an octopus, knocked me down and took the ball away, that is a clear penalty! If it is not a penalty, it is a free kick, that is it,” he said. Keane added that the referee “ruined the situation,” accusing VAR of standing by and saying, “The referees ruined the game. Egypt was robbed. What has to happen for them to award a penalty today?”

The decision also sparked harsh criticism online, and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was shown grabbing the fourth official by the arms to demonstrate the foul. Mohamed Salah stepped in and separated the parties. The match was reported by Sport 5 on June 16, 2026.