FIFA World Cup: The chief referee denies allegations of bias in the Argentina-Egypt match | World Cup 2026 news

Pierluigi Collina said such allegations of bias could spark threats against referees and their families.

The head of the FIFA arbitration committee, Pierluigi Collina, defended the arbitration Argentina won over Egypt 3-2 in World Cup Round ⁠16, he denied allegations of bias and said that the match officials worked completely independently.

in interview Posting on FIFA’s website on Thursday, Collina said it was part of football to criticize referees, but he condemned the referees. Questioning the integrity of officials After Egypt complained about Management After defeat.

“With such a large number of matches played in a relatively short period of time, it is natural that some things do not go as expected,” Collina said. “When that happens, they… [referees] We are ready to work even harder to ensure they are fully prepared for the next match.

He added: “Of course, constructive discussions about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport.”

Collina said such allegations could spark threats against governors and their families.

“No one can question the integrity of FIFA World Cup referees… Likewise, no one can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even the FIFA President.” [Gianni Infantino]He added.

“Match referees make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.”

Egypt was eliminated from the tournament, but claimed that it was subjected to unfair treatment, after Argentina overcame a 2-0 deficit 11 minutes before the end to snatch victory with a stoppage-time goal from Enzo Fernandez.

Coach Hossam Hassan claimed after the match that there was Maybe there was pressure on the referee To keep Argentina in the tournament, and that Egypt was “cheated” and deprived of a place in the quarter-finals.

The Egyptian Football Association also criticized the arbitration decisions, saying it would not remain silent regarding what it described as the improper use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Egypt argued that Mostafa Zico’s second-half goal was incorrectly ruled out due to what it described as a non-existent error in the build-up. Egypt was also angry that a challenge with Mohamed Salah was not punished moments before Argentina made the move that led to the winning goal.

FIFA’s Collina said the VAR correctly recommended that Zico’s goal be disallowed, after identifying a foul by Marouane Attia on Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez during the attacking possession phase.

“We think it’s a mistake,” Colina said. “Regardless of whether the foul appears ‘obvious’, if the referee does not see it on the field of play, VAR can intervene.”

Collina also defended the decision not to award Egypt a penalty before Argentina’s win, saying the referee and VAR considered the contact between Salah and Julian Alvarez to be “normal football contact”.

He said: “Stepping on the opponent’s foot is a foul, while a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal contact with the football does not commit a foul.”

Recognizing that some decisions will always involve The element of subjectivityCollina said that FIFA is satisfied with how the principles of video assistant refereeing were applied throughout the tournament.