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FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has rejected claims that the referees were biased during Argentina’s 3-2 win over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday.
Egypt raised several questions about the decisions made during the match, but Collina said FIFA referees work independently and are not influenced by anyone. He also defended the use of VAR, saying the decisions were made in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
Speaking to FIFA’s official website, Collina said criticism of referees is normal, but false allegations should not be made. “Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said. “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials … Nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president (Gianni Infantino).”
Egypt had claimed that Mostafa Zico’s goal was intentionally ruled out and that Mohamed Salah should have been awarded a penalty. However, Collina backed the officials, saying, “We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears ‘obvious’, if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.”
He also defended the decision not to award Egypt a penalty, saying, “Stepping on an opponent’s foot is a foul, whereas a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal football contact has not committed a foul.”
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