FIFA has firmly rejected allegations that match officials were influenced during Argentina’s controversial FIFA World Cup Round of 16 victory over Egypt, insisting that referees operate independently and are not subject to interference from anyone, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, addressed the growing criticism in an interview published by FIFA on Thursday, defending the integrity of the tournament’s officials amid widespread debate over VAR decisions that shaped the Argentina-Egypt encounter.
Collina stressed that FIFA’s refereeing team works with complete independence and that suggestions of external influence are both false and damaging. Nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Collina said.
He added that Infantino has consistently supported FIFA’s refereeing department while allowing officials to perform their duties without interference.
According to Collina, referees make decisions honestly and strive to apply the Laws of the Game fairly, just as players and coaches aim to deliver their best performances on the pitch.
The controversy centered on VAR’s intervention that led to the cancellation of an Egyptian goal after officials determined that midfielder Marwan Attia had fouled Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez by stepping on his foot during the attacking phase before the goal.
Collina explained that under the Laws of the Game, there is no time or distance restriction preventing VAR from reviewing incidents that occur during an attacking possession if they ultimately result in a goal.
We believe that a foul is a foul, he said.
Regardless of whether the foul appears obvious, if the referee did not see it on the field, the VAR can intervene.
He further clarified that if no infringement is detected during the attacking build-up, VAR will advise the referee accordingly.
Collina also referred to another incident late in the same match involving Mohamed Salah and Argentina forward Julián Álvarez.
He noted that both the on-field referee and VAR concluded the challenge involved normal football contact rather than a foul, emphasizing that every decision is assessed according to the laws governing the game.
He explained that while stepping on an opponent’s foot constitutes a foul, situations where a defender wins the ball first before making legitimate contact are generally considered legal challenges.
Despite ongoing debates surrounding several decisions during the tournament, Collina said FIFA remains pleased with how the Video Assistant Referee system has been implemented throughout the expanded 48-team World Cup.
He acknowledged that football officiating inevitably involves some degree of subjectivity but maintained that the overall application of VAR has been consistent and accurate.
“There will always be an element of subjectivity in some decisions, but we are happy with how this principle has been applied throughout the tournament, he stated.
Collina expressed concern over personal attacks directed at referees following controversial decisions, revealing that criticism has extended beyond sporting debate and resulted in threats against match officials and their families.
He warned that while constructive discussions about refereeing decisions are an important part of football, unfounded accusations questioning officials’ integrity have no place in the sport.
According to him, such allegations risk encouraging abusive behaviour and intimidation against referees who are simply carrying out their responsibilities.
Reviewing the officiating performances after 96 matches at the expanded FIFA World Cup, Collina said the governing body remains satisfied with the standard displayed by referees despite the increased workload created by the tournament’s new format.
He reiterated FIFA’s confidence in its officials and emphasized that protecting referees from baseless accusations is essential to preserving the integrity of the game.
The Argentina-Egypt VAR controversy continues to generate discussion among football fans and analysts, but FIFA insists that every decision made during the tournament has been based solely on the Laws of the Game and the independent judgment of its match officials.
