FIFA's refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has firmly dismissed allegations of referee bias following Argentina's contentious 2-1 victory over Egypt in the 2026 World Cup. The match, which saw Argentina advance to the quarterfinals, has been mired in controversy after Egypt raised complaints about key VAR decisions and officiating errors.
Collina Defends Officiating Integrity
Collina, chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, rejected claims that the match officials favored Argentina. He emphasized that referees operate with complete independence and integrity, stating that unfounded allegations could endanger the safety of officials and their families. 'We trust our referees implicitly, and any suggestion of bias is baseless and harmful,' Collina said.
Egypt's Complaints
Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan and the Egyptian Football Association alleged unfair treatment, pointing to a disallowed goal and a missed penalty as pivotal moments. They argued that VAR interventions were inconsistent and that the referee's decisions tilted the match in Argentina's favor.
VAR Controversy
Egypt's disallowed goal came in the 67th minute when a strike was overturned after VAR review for a foul in the buildup. Collina defended the decision, explaining that the on-field review confirmed the foul. Additionally, Egypt claimed a penalty was not awarded for a handball in the box, but Collina noted that VAR determined it was not a clear and obvious error.
Subjectivity in Decisions
Collina acknowledged that some decisions involve subjectivity, but he expressed satisfaction with VAR's application throughout the tournament. 'Refereeing is not an exact science, but we have full confidence in the process,' he added. FIFA has vowed to review Egypt's formal complaint but stands by the officiating team.
