FIFA chief hits out at dangerous World Cup referee accusations amid Egypt and Donald Trump claims

Pierluigi Collina has defended World Cup referees following a series of accusations made against officials at the tournament.

Egypt were beaten 3-2 by Argentina in the last 16 and their manager Hossam Hassan sensationally claimed ‘external factors’ were at play.

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Mostafa Ziko, who scored but had another goal controversially disallowed, also hit out at referee Francois Letexier for his officiating.

“The referee was really not fair, not fair,” he told the media after. “The referee was not fair. The injustice was clear.”

In addition, the Egyptian Football Association are said to have called for the match officials to be excluded from the World Cup.

United States president Donald Trump also questioned the background of referee Raphael Claus, who sent off Folarin Balogun.

Trump, who called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for Balogun’s ban to be reviewed, claimed that Claus was ‘very suspect’.

These controversies have overshadowed what has been an exciting and competitive World Cup this summer.

And former referee Collina, who is the chief refereeing officer at FIFA, has taken a stand against such comments on the officiating.

“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport.

“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.

“Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA Refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA President.

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“He 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.”

Was there a foul before Egypt goal?

With an hour almost played, Ziko thought he had doubled the lead for Egypt after slotting in at the end of an excellent counter-attack.

However, after a VAR review, Marwan Attia was adjudged to have fouled Lisandro Martinez in the build-up, so the goal did not stand.

Collina says Attia ‘clearly treads’ on the foot of Martinez, adding: “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.”

AFP

Ziko then scored in the 67th minute, but Argentina managed to turn the game around by scoring three goals before the full-time whistle.

Cristian Romero started the comeback, before Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez ensured the holders are through to the quarter-finals.