FIFA Referees head Pierluigi Collina has stated that there was no foul play on the part of officials who officiated the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 stage clash between Argentina and Egypt contrary to what many including the Egyptian contingent believes.
Egypt raised serious concerns about the consistency of officiating in the game that had them lose 3-2 to the defending World Champions to miss out on a place in the quarterfinals.
The North African nation had a goal disallowed earlier in the game before a tussle involving Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Argentina’s Julian Alvarez that had Salah fall to the turf was waved off in the lead up to Argentina’s game winning goal via an Enzo Fernandez header.
Addressing the issue, Referees Chief Collina speaking via FIFA, dismissed comments about officiating in the game by stating that,
“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. Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president”
“If no foul is identified in the build-up to a goal, the VAR will advise the referee accordingly. The referee and the VAR deemed it normal football contact between Egypt no. 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina no. 10 Julian Alvarez.”
