FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has defended the usual of officiating on the 2026 World Cup and insisted match officers should not influenced by any outdoors figures or strain.
The previous Italian referee, who has chaired FIFA’s referees committee since 2017, issued a public response following criticism surrounding a number of controversial incidents throughout the event in North America.
Among the many largest speaking factors has been the choice to overturn United States striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension after FIFA president Gianni Infantino held discussions with US President Donald Trump.
There was additionally anger from Egypt following their last-16 loss to Argentina, with the African aspect questioning the choice to disallow a aim that may have put them 2-0 forward within the second half.
Talking in an interview revealed by FIFA, Collina defended each the officers and the processes used throughout the competitors.
“Total, we’re comfortable,” he mentioned.
“Nevertheless, with such a excessive variety of matches performed in a comparatively quick time frame, it’s regular that some issues don’t go as anticipated.
“When that occurs, they’re able to work even more durable to make sure they’re totally ready for the subsequent match.”
‘No person can query the integrity of officers’
Collina additionally rejected strategies that referees have been influenced by people outdoors FIFA’s refereeing construction.
“Constructive dialogue about selections will all the time be a part of soccer, however unfounded allegations don’t have any place in our sport,” he mentioned.
“No person can query the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officers.
“When this occurs, it might provoke reactions that result in threats in opposition to them and their households. This isn’t proper.
“No person can declare that FIFA refereeing will be influenced by anybody, not even by the FIFA president,” he mentioned.
“He has all the time proven his full help for FIFA Group One whereas trusting us to work with full independence.
“Match officers make sincere selections and, identical to gamers and coaches, they all the time attempt to do their finest.”
Why Egypt’s aim in opposition to Argentina was dominated out
Collina additionally addressed the controversy surrounding Egypt’s disallowed aim in opposition to Argentina.
He defined that video assistant referees evaluate the complete attacking possession section main as much as each aim and may suggest an on-field evaluate if an offence is recognized.
“There isn’t any outlined restrict relating to both the gap from aim or the period of time between the incident and the aim,” Collina mentioned.
“Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martinez,” Collina mentioned.
“We consider {that a} foul is a foul.
“No matter whether or not the foul seems apparent, if the referee didn’t see it on the sphere of play, the VAR can intervene.
“Stepping on an opponent’s foot is a foul, whereas a defender who touches the ball first after which makes regular soccer contact has not dedicated a foul,” he mentioned.
“The referee and the VAR deemed it regular soccer contact between Egypt No. 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina No. 10 Julian Alvarez.
“After all, there’ll all the time be a component of subjectivity in some selections, however we’re proud of how this precept has been utilized all through the event.”
