ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Egypt coach Hossam Hassan says he believes the matter has been resolved after he and team director Ibrahim Hassan got into a physical confrontation with police at the team hotel in Dallas.
The video started circulating last Thursday. Egypt defeats Australia in round 32 world cupwhich shows both men arguing with a Dallas police officer, apparently over a player preparing to take a photo with a young fan in a hotel lobby.
The officer first approached Hossam Hassan, but the interaction with Ibrahim Hassan turned into a jostling. Ibrahim Hassan appeared upset by the police intervention.
Dallas police said in a statement that officers were responding to a request from hotel security that someone not accredited for the event was attempting to gain access to the hotel. The statement said the matter was resolved at the scene and police met with Egyptian representatives to address concerns.
Hossam Hassan said through an interpreter that the team had accepted the apology from the police.
“I’m really happy to be participating in this tournament and I’m also happy with the security personnel who will accompany me,” said Hossam Hassan. “I would like to point out the high level of organization that we have and the level of security that we have.”
Hassan is the first person to play for and coach Egypt at a World Cup. The victory over Australia marked Egypt’s debut in the knockout stages of the tournament.
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