The Egyptian Football Association has reportedly filed a formal complaint with FIFA and demanded that the officiating team be removed from the World Cup following their controversial quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Egypt’s hopes of a historic upset were dashed as the reigning world champions, led by Lionel Messi, staged a dramatic comeback.

Argentina scored three goals in the final 15 minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit and secure a place in the semi-finals.

Enzo Fernandez’s late header sealed the victory for Argentina, but the Egyptian camp believes referee Francois Letexier heavily influenced the result.

According to reports from Diario AS, Egyptian FA president Hany Abo Rida has submitted a formal protest over two key decisions that went against his team.

The Pharaohs had a second goal disallowed by VAR due to a foul committed in the build-up. However, they allege that a similar infraction was overlooked by the officials just before Argentina scored their winning goal.

Furthermore, Egypt felt they were denied a clear penalty moments before the decisive goal when Mohamed Salah was challenged in the box by Julian Alvarez.

In their complaint, the Egyptian federation is seeking an explanation for what they term “controversial decisions” and has called for a full investigation.

They have also officially requested that the French refereeing team be barred from officiating any further matches in the tournament.

Oil prices rose by more than five per cent on Wednesday as President Donald Trump declared that the interim agreement with Iran on peace was over.

Trump said this following U.S. strikes on Iran in reaction to attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The price of Brent crude oil jumped 5.6% to more than $78 a barrel. U.S. benchmark crude surged 5.8% to $74.55 a barrel.

“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire.

“It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” he said while describing Iranian leaders as “sick” and “vicious, violent people.”

He spoke ahead of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Crude prices had declined recently from spikes well above $100 a barrel to around the levels they were at before the war with Iran began in late February.

Iran and the United States agreed as part of their interim deal on ending the war to allow ships to pass through the Strait without paying charges for 60 days.

But Tehran has insisted it must control the vessels’ routes and vowed to later charge fees for passage.

The ships attacked Tuesday all appeared to be using a route close to Oman’s shore, rather than one ordered by Tehran.

The upsets for oil markets have coincided with waves of worries that the craze for artificial intelligence-related shares has pushed prices past the amount of gains in productivity and profits likely to result from massive investments in computer chip production capacity and data centers.
Analysts said the latest developments have significantly increased uncertainty over the future of negotiations and heightened concerns about stability in the global oil market.

The Chief Commodities Analyst at SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop, said the breakdown of talks had cast serious doubt on the planned 60-day negotiation process, adding that oil prices closer to $80 per barrel better reflect current market conditions.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina has ordered detention of Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer and public affairs commentator.

Chief Magistrate Zaharaddeen Kofar Soro gave the order after the Katsina State Police Command arraigned Kurfi over alleged defamation of character and injurious falsehood.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Dr. Kurfi, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, allegedly made defamatory remarks during an interview on Trust TV on June 24, 2026.

The police charged the defendant with two counts under Sections 308 and 309(1) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State.

The prosecution claimed that the defendant alleged that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj pilgrimage for some bandit leaders, a statement it described as false, malicious and capable of tarnishing the image and reputation of the state government and the people of Katsina.

The prosecutor further argued that the defendant made the allegation knowing, or having reason to believe, that it would injure the reputation of the government and its citizens.

When the charges were read to him, Dr. Kurfi pleaded not guilty.

Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations, arguing that granting him bail at this stage could interfere with the investigation.

Counsel to the defendant, A.D. Umar, opposed the application and prayed the court to admit his client to bail, maintaining that the defendant was entitled to his liberty while standing trial.

The magistrate directed that the police continue with their investigation and ordered that the defendant remain in police custody pending the adjourned date.

The matter was adjourned to Monday, July 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the proceedings, defence counsel A.D. Umar expressed confidence that his client would be vindicated.

Dr. Kurfi was thereafter escorted back to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Katsina State Police Command.

Days after Dr Kurfi made the allegation, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested some bandit leaders returning from Hajj.

According to the Minister, they were arrested at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina.