Fifa Referees Chief Defends World Cup Officials Amid Egypt's Allegations

Fifa chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina says "nobody can question the integrity" of the World Cup match officials following "unfounded allegations" made after Egypt's 3-2 loss to Argentina.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) asked Fifa to kick the officials in charge of their World Cup last-16 defeat out of the tournament.

The EFA demanded an investigation into the "double standards" of officiating after two second-half calls on fouls went against them, helping Argentina overturn a 2-0 deficit late in the game.

"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."

After the game manager Hossam Hassan said Egypt had been "treated unfairly" and "suffered injustice".

"Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," he said.

Collina added: "Equally, nobody can claim that Fifa refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the Fifa president [Gianni Infantino].

"He [Infantino] has always shown his full support for Fifa Team One while trusting us to work with complete independence. Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best."

Fifa has also been widely criticised after its decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's automatic ban for a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with European football's governing body Uefa calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".

US president Donald Trump said he asked Fifa to review the decision.

With Egypt leading 1-0 in the second half against Argentina, the video assistant referee (VAR) 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 the Argentina penalty area was also waved away, seconds before the reigning champions broke for the stoppage-time winner.

Despite not usually commenting on "specific incidents" during a major tournament, Collina backed both decisions.

"After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). 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," he added.

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

"An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt number 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina number six Lisandro Martinez.

"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.

"Equally, if no foul is identified in the build-up to a goal, the VAR will advise the referee accordingly. Stepping on an opponent's foot is a foul, whereas a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal football contact has not committed a foul.

"Again, an example of this came at the end of the same game. The referee and the VAR deemed it normal football contact between Egypt number 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina number 9 Julian Alvarez.

"Of course, 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."