FIFA Refereeing Chief Rejects Egypt Bias Claims After Argentina World Cup Win

LOS ANGELES, United States — Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of refereeing, has condemned what he called "unfounded allegations" levelled at World Cup match officials following Argentina's disputed last-16 triumph over Egypt.

In a statement published on FIFA's official website, Collina stood behind the officials who handled Argentina's 3-2 victory in Atlanta. Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan had accused the crew of misconduct. Hassan went further, suggesting the team led by French referee Francois Letexier might have faced "external pressure" to benefit Argentina.

The Egyptian complaints followed several rulings that went against their side. Among them was a goal ruled out by VAR because of a foul that occurred much earlier in the attacking sequence, at the opposite end of the pitch.

Collina dismissed any idea of foul play or a plot to help Argentina's World Cup run.

"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.

"Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA Refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA President [Gianni Infantino].

"Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best."

Hassan, meanwhile, insisted his squad had been wronged by the officials.

"We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan said after the defeat, adding that FIFA "wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running".

"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.

On the disallowed strike by Mostafa Zico — a breakaway effort that would have put Egypt 2-0 ahead — Collina said the officials followed proper procedure once VAR identified a foul in the build-up.

"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," the Italian said. "There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.

"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."