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FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina has rejected accusations of wrongdoing against World Cup match officials, describing claims of malpractice following Argentina’s controversial last-16 victory over Egypt as “unfounded allegations”.
Collina defended the officiating team that oversaw Argentina’s 3-2 win over Egypt in Atlanta after Egypt coach Hossam Hassan questioned the decisions made during the match and suggested referees may have faced “external pressure” to favour the defending champions.
The controversy followed a series of calls that went against Egypt, including the disallowing of Mostafa Zico’s goal after a VAR review identified a foul earlier in the attacking move. The decision denied Egypt what would have been a 2-0 lead and became a major talking point after the match.
Hassan accused officials of treating his team unfairly, saying Egypt had suffered “injustice” during the defeat.
“We have been cheated unfairly today; we have suffered injustice,” Hassan said after the match. He also suggested that FIFA may have wanted Argentina and its captain, Lionel Messi, to remain in the tournament.
“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level,” Hassan told beIN Sports.
However, Collina dismissed suggestions that refereeing decisions at the World Cup could be influenced by outside forces, insisting officials operate independently and with integrity.
“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said in comments published on FIFA’s official website.
“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”
Collina also insisted that even FIFA president Gianni Infantino could not influence refereeing decisions.
“Nobody can claim that FIFA Refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA President,” he said. “Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.”
Addressing the controversial VAR intervention that ruled out Zico’s goal, Collina said the officials followed the correct process because any foul that affects a goal-scoring move can be reviewed.
“If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review,” he explained.
Collina added that there is no fixed limit on how far away from the goal an incident occurs or how much time passes before a goal is scored for VAR to intervene.
“We believe that a foul is a foul,” he said, adding that VAR can step in when the referee does not see an important incident during play.
