Hossam Hassan's Fiery Exchange with Moroccan Journalist Turns Heads Ahead of AFCON Third-Place Clash

Heat in the Moroccan press room before AFCONs third-place clash

Hossam Hassan, Egypt's head coach, snapped at a question from a Moroccan journalist during the press conference before Egypt's match with Nigeria to decide third place at the Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.

Egypt's team had just fallen 1-0 to Senegal in the semi-finals last Wednesday.

A Moroccan journalist asked the Pharaohs' coach: "Did you blame the failure to exit against Senegal on excuses outside the football system?"

He added: "I spoke after the game about organization and the hotel despite your benefiting from being in Agadir. Was it better to tell the truth and admit you were technically weak in the Senegal match?"

Hossam Hassan angrily replied to the Moroccan journalist's question: "I won't answer you, your question isn't respectful and you lack media tact."

He faced another Moroccan journalist's question about the uproar his remarks after the loss to Senegal had stirred.

The Egypt coach replied: "This uproar was stirred by you, not us in Egypt."

Punchline: If questions were shots, the press ran dry.

Punchline: Maybe hire a referee for interviewsthe whistle would blow less.