Hossam Hassan, coach of the Egypt national team, continued today to express his position on the Palestinian issue. He used the official FIFA press conference ahead of the round-of-16 World Cup match against Argentina to deliver a message on the topic.

Hassan, who guided Egypt to the knockout stage after a win over Australia, was asked about waving a Palestinian flag after that game and whether he would repeat the gesture if his side upsets the world champions. He replied: "If a person anywhere in the world does not feel the pain of the Palestinian people, then he has lost part of his humanity."

The Egyptian coach added: "What came from me was simply a human reaction. Before I am an Arab, a Muslim, a Christian or anything else, I am first and foremost a human being. Through football I want to convey a message: let the Palestinian people live. I ask athletes and journalists around the world to help spread this message."

Continuing, Hassan said: "When discussing human rights, animal rights and justice, one must also speak about Palestinian citizens. It is a shame for all of us. A shame for the entire world, not only the Arab world. It is a shame for everyone, and above all for the decision-makers who abandon human beings."

Beside the political message, Hassan addressed the upcoming match against Argentina. He acknowledged Egypt arrives as the underdog yet stressed: "We know we face the world champions and one of the greatest players in history, but we are not afraid. We carry responsibility toward Egypt, the Arab world and Africa. We represent them all, and this duty keeps us focused on what we can achieve on the pitch."

Hassan's remarks arrive amid ongoing debate over political expressions at the World Cup. FIFA rules bar political messages on playing equipment, yet reports indicate no explicit ban prevents coaches from stating political views at official press conferences.