Egypt coach 'concerned with football' amid Pride Match debate

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he’s focused on football when it comes to the match against Iran, which was designated by local organizers as Seattle’s Pride Match.

“We are concerned with football on the pitch. We respect, once again, respect and fair play as rules for everyone to abide by and any guidelines set forth by FIFA,” he said in a news conference on Thursday.

The Pride Fest is taking place this weekend in Seattle. It’s a large, colourful festival celebrating the LGBTQI+ community. The event focuses on diversity and equality, and the schedule includes a parade in the city centre and numerous concerts, among other things.

Local organizers decided to designate Friday’s game as a Pride Match even before the draw for the group stage. Once the Egypt v Iran match-up was set, discussions quickly ensued.

Both nations don’t share the values of Pride Fest and before the tournament, they protested to FIFA against the city’s plan to celebrate the game as a Pride Match – to no avail.

Egypt top Group G with four points while Iran are second, two points behind.