Pierluigi Collina denies claims of referee bias at World Cup

FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina has defended match officials following widespread criticism during the World Cup. Accusations of bias in favor of Argentina emerged following their Round of 16 match against Egypt.

The controversy centered on several key moments, including an overturned goal for Egypt that would have extended their lead to 2-0. Furthermore, Egyptian players claimed they were denied a penalty after a collision between Julian Alvarez and Mohamed Salah inside the box, a moment that preceded Argentina's third goal.

No one can claim that FIFA's refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even the FIFA President. He has always shown his full support for the FIFA team, trusting that we work with complete independence. The referees make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always strive to give their best. Pierluigi Collina

Collina emphasized that all incidents during the Argentina-Egypt match were reviewed through the VAR system. He stated that the officiating team acted correctly in both the disallowed goal and the lead-up to Argentina's third goal, reinforcing his confidence in the current standards of the tournament.