Fifa hits back at Trump and Egypt over refereeing bias claims
Fifa’s referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has hit back at critics of officiating at the World Cup after President Trump and the Egypt team made allegations of bias.
Trump said Raphael Claus, the Brazilian ref who sent off USA’s Folarin Balogun, “was a little bit suspect” and later claimed his pressure had resulted in Fifa suspending the striker’s ban for the last-16 tie with Belgium.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, meanwhile, accused French ref Francois Letexier of presiding over “clearly a rigged match” following their dramatic 3-2 defeat by holders Argentina on Tuesday.
“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” said Collina.
“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 [Gianni Infantino]. He has always shown his full support for Fifa Team One [referees] 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 ref chief Collina defends Argentina v Egypt decisions
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has also been among those to question the “erratic” standard of refereeing at the World Cup, without making allegations of bias, but Collina said “overall, we are happy” with the officials’ performance.
He added: “However, with such a high number of matches played in a relatively short period of time, it is normal that some things do not go as expected. When that happens, they are ready to work even harder to ensure they are fully prepared for the next match.”
Collina also defended the two calls which drew the ire of Egypt: their disallowed goal for a foul much earlier in the move, and a challenge on Mohamed Salah that they believe should have annulled Enzo Fernandez’s winner.
“After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase,” he said.
“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. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
“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.”