Collina defends World Cup referees after Egypt complaint

FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has defended the integrity of World Cup match officials following what he described as 'unfounded allegations' after Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) formally asked FIFA to remove the officials from the tournament and demanded an investigation into what they called 'double standards' in officiating. Two second-half decisions went against Egypt, helping Argentina overturn a 2-0 deficit late in the game.

Collina rejects allegations of bias

'Of course, 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. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.'

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan had said after the match that his team was 'treated unfairly' and 'suffered injustice'. 'Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running,' he added.

Collina also dismissed any suggestion that FIFA president Gianni Infantino could influence refereeing decisions. 'Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president. He has always shown his full support for FIFA Team One while trusting us to work with complete independence. Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.'

VAR decisions explained

With Egypt leading 1-0 in the second half, the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out a goal by Mostafa Zico after midfielder Marwan Attia was penalised for stepping on Lisandro Martinez's foot at the start of the move. A potential foul on Mohamed Salah in the Argentina penalty area was also waved away, seconds before the reigning champions broke for the stoppage-time winner.

Although Collina typically avoids commenting on specific incidents during a major tournament, he backed both decisions. 'After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). 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. 'There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.'

Collina cited the Egypt goal disallowed for Attia's foul: 'Egypt number 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina number six Lisandro Martinez. 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.'

Regarding the Salah incident, he said: 'Equally, if no foul is identified in the build-up to a goal, the VAR will advise the referee accordingly. 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. Again, an example of this came at the end of the same game. The referee and the VAR deemed it normal football contact between Egypt number 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina number 9 Julian Alvarez.'

Collina acknowledged that subjectivity remains part of decision-making but expressed satisfaction with how the principles have been applied throughout the tournament.

Broader controversy

FIFA has also faced widespread criticism over its decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's automatic ban for a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with UEFA calling the move 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable'. US President Donald Trump said he asked FIFA to review that decision.