COLLINA DEFENDS WORLD CUP OFFICIALS AFTER EGYPT COMPLAINTS

Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's chief refereeing officer, has stated that match officials at the World Cup cannot be questioned on matters of integrity following complaints from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA). The EFA requested Fifa remove the officials from the tournament after Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina in a last-16 match. The EFA cited two second-half decisions on fouls that it said applied double standards and contributed to Argentina overturning a 2-0 deficit. Egypt's manager Hossam Hassan said his team had been "treated unfairly" and "suffered injustice".

Collina defended both disputed decisions in detail. When Egypt led 1-0, the video assistant referee 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 Argentina's penalty area was also not awarded, moments before Argentina scored a stoppage-time winner. Collina stated that "constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport". He added that allegations of bias may provoke threats against officials and their families.

Collina also rejected suggestions that Fifa refereeing could be influenced by external parties, including Fifa president Gianni Infantino. He stated that match officials make honest decisions and attempt to perform to the best of their ability, similar to players and coaches. Separately, Fifa faced criticism for not upholding an automatic ban for Folarin Balogun's red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which Uefa described as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable". US president Donald Trump stated he had asked Fifa to review that decision.