Collina Defends Refereeing Decisions in Egypt vs Argentina Match

Pierluigi Collina, head of the FIFA Referees Committee, defended the officiating decisions made during the Egypt vs Argentina match in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, following widespread controversy after the game.

Collina stated that the accusations against the match officials are unfounded, emphasizing that the integrity of FIFA referees is beyond question. He remarked, "Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded accusations have no place in our sport."

He further clarified that referees are not subjected to any external pressures or influences, stating: "No one has the right to question the integrity of World Cup referees, and no one can claim that FIFA referees are under any influence, even from the FIFA president himself."

Collina also explained that Egypt's disallowed goal was due to a clear foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez at the start of the attack, while he considered the contact between Mohamed Salah and Julián Álvarez before Argentina's third goal to be a natural collision, not warranting a penalty.