FIFA forced to defend integrity of World Cup referees after complaints

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FT Desk

FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has sought to defend the integrity of a selection of World Cup officials after complaints were made this week.

The subject of the complaints is French referee Francois Letexier, who took charge of the Egypt versus Argentina Round of 16 clash in which the South Americans allegedly benefited from a few key decisions.

The biggest reason the Egyptian FA felt aggrieved was the decision from Letexier and his VAR to disallow the team's second goal after Lisandro Martinez was judged to have been fouled in the build-up. Replays showed that the Manchester United defender was having his shirt pulled slightly, but the fact that Egypt went on to score one of the goals of the tournament left a bitter taste in their mouths.

There was also a penalty claim from Mohamed Salah that was ignored, while Argentina were awarded a penalty in the first half that was missed.

The African side still went two goals up on the Argentines, but Lionel Messi and co. fought back and eventually won 3-2 in the dying minutes, breaking Egyptian hearts.

An EFA statement read: "Hany Abou Rida, president of the Egyptian football federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup."

The EFA demanded an investigation after "blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage".

It "demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes" and alleged "the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team".

Collina has looked to calm the situation down and insists the officials involved will not be disregarded for the rest of the tournament.

"Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport," the legendary referee said.

"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."

After the game, head coach Hossam Hassan said Egypt had been "treated unfairly" and "suffered injustice".

"Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," he said.

Collina added: "Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the Fifa president [Gianni Infantino].

"He [Infantino] has always shown his full support for Fifa Team One 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."

The questioning of FIFA officials comes less than a week after the biggest controversy of the 2026 World Cup so far, which saw football's governing body controversially overturn United States striker Folarin Balogun's suspension so he could feature for the host nation against Belgium.

The USMNT would go on to lose anyway, with Belgium progressing after a 4-1 victory.