by Serwan Zangana
Obviously, the discrimination has never been limited to one area of life, and it is indeed pervasive and has a negative impact on every field in human life. This is what could be seen in the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA, an international association of football, which is soccer in American terms, founded in 1904, to organize and oversee the nations’ soccer teams matches in the world.
This organization should hold principles and morals to the highest degree as to become the most credible sport association. Reversely, FIFA in its 2026 has proven its discriminatory act among the high members and referees, which became more disappointing for the large soccer team players and fans and lost its credibility.
During the matches between the teams, the fans were clearly observing the discrimination among the referees toward the teams and the favoritism to certain players. Giving yellow or red cards for a foul committed by a certain player from a certain team and ignoring the same foul from the favorite team is an absurd act and unethical conduct of the referees.
In fact, the members and the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, have been attending each match and observing every action of the players and the referees. But they chose to keep silent in every event of the discriminatory and unprofessionalism of the referees.
The most heartbreaking match was indeed between Egypt and Argentina as it ended with the score of 2 goals for Egypt and 3 for Argentina. After Egypt was advancing with 2 goals and 0 for Argentina, the outrage began from Argentina’s players sided by the referee. Indeed, embracing a high morality and being unbiased are very important to exist in referees.
But unfortunately, the French referee in the match between Egypt and Argentina was lacked of such characters. Argentina had 13 fouls without receiving yellow or red cards, while Egypt had 7 fouls, 3 yellow cards and 1 red card. Furthermore, as one of Egypt’s goals was reviewed by the referee through the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and hence, was declined due to offside, the same referee refused to review the (VAR) to decline the offside goal of Argentina.
The discrimination has broken the boundary of sports and devalued such an entertaining event that millions of people enjoy. It is always discrimination even in the free Western society as the rhetoric of human rights and equality can be heard across the democratic nations.
While the Western nations are condemning the Middle East and Africa for lacking human rights, the authorities of such nations in the day light and on the soccer field discriminate and at the same time, they write their laws to defend it.
